ALVA, Okla. - Rogers State added another chapter to its string of heartbreaking losses as the Hillcats fell 67-65 to Northwestern Oklahoma State at Percefull Fieldhouse in Alva Thursday night.
 

Aldric Reynolds' potential game-tying jumper fell short in the final seconds and time expired as both teams scrambled for the rebound. RSU cut a 10-point deficit down to two in the closing seconds to give itself an opportunity to tie or win the game.

Eric Young's put-back basket with 21 seconds remaining pulled the Hillcats to within two. RSU quickly fouled and sent Shane Hansen to the line for two free throws. Hansen missed both opportunities and the Cats grabbed the rebound. Reynolds waited to take the final shot and hoisted an 18-foot jumper that bounced off the front of the rim and ended RSU's chances at a come-from-behind victory.

The Hillcats held a 10-point lead with 16:00 to play in the game. Northwestern responded with a 15-0 run, sparked by seven points from Shaun Buckingham off the bench. David Holmes' drive to the bucket gave the Rangers a 10-point lead with 4:45 to play. Northwestern shot 50-percent from the field and knocked down four 3-pointers in the second half to pull off the 20-point swing.

RSU trailed by seven with a minute to play, but managed to cut the deficit to two in just 45 seconds. The Rangers made only 2-of-6 free throw attempts in the final minute as Reynolds and Young combined for seven points for RSU. However, for the second time in less than a week the Hillcats couldn't come up with a final bucket to win the game.
Bryson Krueger led RSU with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Abram Donlon was the only other Hillcat to post double figures in scoring with 11. RSU led by as many as 11 points in the first half after shooting 50-percent from the field. The Cats shot just 39-percent in the second half and went nearly six minutes without a field goal during the Rangers big run.

Termaine Snyder led the Rangers with 14 points off the bench. Northwestern outrebounded the Hillcats 34-27 and benefited from 28 bench points in the contest.

Rogers State (16-9, 11-8) moved into a three-way tie for fourth place with Northwestern and Oklahoma Baptist after the loss. The Hillcats will travel to Oklahoma City to face Oklahoma Christian Saturday night. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. and the game can be heard live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.