CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State showed no ill effects from a 17-day layoff as the Hillcats torched the nets and completed a series sweep of Northeastern State (Tahlequah, Okla.) with an 86-75 victory Tuesday night in front of 1,198 fans at the Claremore Expo.
 

The fifth-ranked Hillcats shot 53 percent and made 8-of-13 shots from downtown in their first game action since Dec. 13. With that effort RSU extended its winning streak to 10 games and closed out a home-and-home sweep of its NCAA Division II regional rival.
 

NSU senior Aaron Arango was a one-man show for the RiverHawks in the first half. He poured in 22 first half points by going 7-for-7 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Arango finished with a career-high 28 points and kept NSU close in the early going. Aldric Reynolds' driving layup beat the first half buzzer and gave the Cats a 42-36 advantage at the break.
 

The RiverHawks regained the lead for the first time since the opening minute on a free throw by Marlon Burnett with 10:11 to play. Burnett then added a jumper to make it 61-58 in favor of the visitors. However, the lead was short lived. RSU responded with a 13-3 run keyed by Roderick Rodgers. The senior scored 13 second half points to help the Cats pull away over the final eight minutes.
 

Arango was held to just six points after halftime but Burnett stepped up with 17 second half points. Deveric Taylor led RSU with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Taylor and fellow sophomore Chris Francis combined to hit 6-of-7 treys on the night. The Hillcats enjoyed a 37-27 rebounding advantage and committed a season-low nine turnovers.
 

Rogers State (10-0, 4-0) completed the non-conference portion of its schedule with a perfect 6-0 record. The Hillcats return to Sooner Athletic Conference action Saturday against Northwestern Okla. State at the Claremore Expo. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the game will be carried live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.