TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Rogers State mounted an improbable comeback and escaped Jack Dobbins Fieldhouse with a 94-85 overtime win over Northeastern State Thursday night in Tahlequah, Okla.
 

Aldric Reynolds and Maurice Rutherford combined for 32 second half points to lead the Hillcats back from a 14-point deficit with seven minutes remaining in regulation. After playing from behind the entire night, RSU never trailed in the overtime period and knocked down its free throws down the stretch to seal an emotional victory.
 

It appeared the RiverHawks were going to shoot the Cats right out of the gym during the first half of their home opener. NSU shot a blazing 70 percent from the field in the first half and buried 7-of-10 3-point attempts. Aaron Arango and JC Snead went a combined 6-of-7 from downtown in the first half. Ralph Monday added a trey right before the halftime buzzer to give the RiverHawks a 41-29 advantage at the break.
 

NSU did its best to keep the Cats at arm's length in the second half as the officials took control of a physical contest. The game slowed to a crawl as each team was whistled for 20 fouls in the second period alone. After trading countless fouls and free throw attempts, RSU still trailed 65-51 with 6:55 left. Rutherford brought the Cats to within four on a 3-pointer from the corner with 3:02 to play. The sophomore point guard then cut the deficit to 76-73 with a strong drive to the rim at the two minute mark.
 

Deveric Taylor made it a one point game with a layup with 1:21 remaining and the Hillcats full court pressure defense immediately forced a turnover. Reynolds then gave RSU its first lead since the fourth minute of the game on a floating jumper to make it 77-76 with 1:07 showing on the scoreboard. Monday put NSU right back on top with a pair of free throws and Arango pushed the lead to two by converting 1-of-2 at the stripe with 12 seconds left.
 

Down to his final possession, RSU Head Coach Lloyd Williams put the ball in hands of his senior point guard and Reynolds delivered. He drove the left side of the lane and kissed a layup high off the glass and safely through the net to force overtime. The furious seven minute comeback completely deflated the RiverHawks while sending the RSU bench into euphoria.
 

With nearly every player on the floor in foul trouble at the start of overtime, the Hillcats immediately attacked the paint. Two quick buckets by Roderick Rodgers put the Hillcats in front 83-79. NSU cut the lead to one with three consecutive free throws but would get no closer. A 3-point-play by Eric Young pushed the margin back to four and Sylvester Spicer put an exclamation point on the comeback with a thunderous jam. Reynolds converted four free throws in the final 46 seconds to reach the final tally, 94-85.
 

RSU set team records for made free throws and free throw attempts during the affair. The Cats knocked down 36-of-47 (77 percent) attempts on the night. RSU also committed a team record 32 fouls. The RiverHawks went 28-for-40 from the charity stripe and were whistled for 31 fouls.  NSU's shooting touch, however, cooled considerably after halftime. The Hawks went 8-for-21 from the field in the second half and couldn't convert a single field goal in the overtime period.
 

Reynolds and Rutherford produced career highs with 22 points and 20 points, respectively. Young added 17 while Rodgers posted 13. Reynolds also set a team record for made free throws by drilling 11-of-12 attempts at the line.
 

Rogers State (3-0) earned its second win over a Lone Star Conference opponent on the week after defeating Southeastern Oklahoma State Tuesday at home. The Hillcats will take the weekend off before opening up Sooner Athletic Conference play against John Brown Tuesday at the Claremore Expo. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. and the game can be heard live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.