CLAREMORE, Okla. - Matt Kellogg drained the game-winning shot from long distance with 7.2 seconds left on the clock, sealing a 62-59 victory for the Rogers State men's basketball team over Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon.
"Thankfully, we had the last shot with Matt Kellogg hitting that big three," Head Coach Justin Barkley said. "I don't think we want anyone else on the floor shooting that shot, he came through when it mattered most."
Kellogg drained four treys, finishing with 14 points on the night.
The Savage Storm used a full court press to tie the game late. RSU was clinging to a five point advantage but back-to-back buckets by Southeastern knotted the score at 59-59. The Hillcats rallied with the long 3-pointer from Kellogg and fought off the Savage Storm's final attempt in the closing seconds.
The Hillcats kept the Homecoming crowd on the edge of their seats throughout the game. RSU only led by double figures once, using a 10-0 run capped off by a layup by John Boyd to give the Hillcats a 23-12 advantage in the first half. The Cats opened the game trading buckets with the Savage Storm but never trailed after the 16 minute mark.
John Boyd and Alburey Doss both finished the night with double-doubles. Boyd led the team, scoring 17 points while pulling in 14 rebounds. Doss chipped in 13 points, 12 boards and four steals.
"It was great to have Alburey (Doss) and John (Boyd) back," Barkley said. "Extremely proud of the way Alburey played tonight. In 22 minutes he was very effective. He has a knack for being at the right place at the right time."
The Hillcats edged the Storm on the boards, pulling in 46 rebounds while SOSU grabbed 44 boards.
RSU shot 32 percent from the floor, 27 percent from behind the arc and 56 percent from the charity stripe.
The Hillcats (3-1) travel to Canton, Mo. for the Culver Stockton Classic on Nov. 19 and 20. The Hillcats will face Missouri Baptist on Friday, Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. and William Woods on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. the game will be carried live on RSU Radio 91.3 and on rsuhillcats.com.
