CLAREMORE, Okla. - Northwestern Oklahoma State scored the final seven points of the game to hand Rogers State a bitter 57-54 loss at the Claremore Expo Saturday night.
 

The Hillcats scored nine straight points to take a 54-50 lead with 2:35 remaining. RSU forward Roderick Rodgers was whistled for a loose ball foul on the ensuing possession and picked up a technical foul to boot. Shane Hansen hit all four foul shots to tie the game and then nailed a 3-pointer from the corner to give the Rangers the eventual game winner.
 

Hansen was the only NWOSU player to finish in double figures with 18 points. He converted 4-of-6 shots from behind the arc and scored 10 of the final 12 points for the Rangers. Rodgers led the Hillcats with 18 points and seven rebounds before fouling out on the double foul infraction.
 

Northwestern successfully slowed the pace of play with its zone defense and methodical offensive sets. RSU clung to a slim lead until the final moments of the first half. Hansen swished two free throws right before halftime to tie the game 25-25 at the break.
 

The teams battled through five ties and five lead changes in the second half before the outcome was settled. Freshman Chris Francis gave the Cats a big lift with a three from the wing to tie the game 50-50 with 5:15 to play. Sylvester Spicer followed suit by making a nice move to the rim to give RSU a 52-50 lead with 3:20 left. However, the Hillcats would not score again as Hansen tallied the final seven points of the game.
 

Eric Young finished with 10 points and three steals for RSU. The Hillcats shot 47-percent from the field compared to the Rangers 38-percent. But, NWOSU buried eight treys while RSU made only 2-of-14 long range shots.
 

Rogers State (9-6, 4-5) fell to seventh place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings with the loss. The Hillcats will look to avenge a heartbreaking early season loss to Oklahoma City University on the road Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. and the game can be heard live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.