WACO, Texas – Rogers State junior Deran Banton stole the Senior Night spotlight Thursday with a career performance earning Heartland Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week honors as announced by the conference office Monday.

The Jamaica, N.Y., native was superb off the bench for the Hillcats netting a career-high 34 points in just 22 minutes of action in a 93-78 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State. He went 13-of-16 from the floor, including 4-of-5 from three-point range to total the second-highest single game point total in RSU history.

Banton grabbed a career-best seven rebounds in the win helping the Hillcats avenge a loss at OPSU earlier this season. He also added four steals, two assists, and one block, turning in one of the best games in school history.

The guard is the second RSU player to receive conference recognition after J.C. Hartzler earned the award in January.

The Hillcats close the 2013-14 season Thursday at conference-leading UA Fort Smith with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Catch the game live online on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.