SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. - Rogers State overcame its worst first half performance of the season to complete a 72-66 come-from-behind win over John Brown at the Murray Sell Athletic Center in Siloam Springs, Ark., on Thursday.
 

The Hillcats sputtered out of the gate, scoring just 10 points in the first 14 minutes of the game. James Manthe buried a three with 3:30 left in the first half to give the Golden Eagles a 20-point advantage, 32-12. RSU closed the half on an 11-2 run but still managed to post a season-low with just 23 first half points.
 

The Hillcats picked up their intensity on both ends of the floor in the opening minutes of the second half and quickly erased the 12 point deficit. James Coats drilled a trey to give RSU its first lead, 41-40 with 14 minutes remaining. The teams exchanged the lead four more times before Eric Young corralled an offensive rebound and laid it in to give RSU a 58-58 advantage with just over six minutes left. The Hillcats never relinquished the lead from that point and didn't allow JBU to convert a single field goal over the last 11 minutes of the game.
 

RSU clung to a three-point lead with just over two minutes to play when Aldric Reynolds beat the shot clock buzzer with a three from the wing to stretch the lead to 65-59. The Hillcats converted on seven free throw attempts over the final two minutes to hold on for the win.
 

RSU owned a 35-17 rebounding advantage and grabbed 17 offensive boards. Roderick Rodgers led the charge with a team-high 16 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Eric Young chipped in with 16 points and Sylvester Spicer added 10.
 

Wes Brown came off the bench to hit four first half 3-pointers for JBU. However, Brown was held scoreless in the second half as RSU outpaced the Golden Eagles on offense, 49-31. James Manthe scored a game-high 25 points for JBU on 9-of-12 shooting.
 

Rogers State (7-2, 2-1) picked up a critical second conference win before entering a 28-day layoff. The Hillcats will return to action on Jan. 3, against Wayland Baptist at the Claremore Expo.