CANTON, Mo. - Rogers State was upset in its first game of the Culver-Stockton Classic by Missouri Baptist University, 85-82, on Friday night.
The Hillcats led at the half 35-34 over MBU led by the play of senior guard Deveric Taylor with 12. The Cats led the majority of the first half but the second period turned in the favor of the Spartans.
MBU took its first lead of the game with 13:41 remaining in the second half on a pair of free throws by Rondu Stevens to make the score 47-45. Stevens finished with 14 points for the Spartans while Kyle Ford pitched in 11.
RSU let the Spartans stretch the lead to 12 points with 35 seconds left. Matt Kellogg cut the lead to 6 points on a 3 point shot with 16 seconds left. A pair of free throws made by Taylor, due to a technical called on MBU, was followed by a 3 pointer by the Dallas, Texas native with .2 seconds remaining to put the score at its final mark 85-82.
The Spartans (3-4) were led by David Prater with 27 points while Kenny Democuchet added 20 points coming off the bench. MBU shot 60 percent from behind the arc going 6-of-10. RSU held the Spartans to only 8 offensive rebounds. But the Spartans were able to capitalize on points from the bench with 34.
RSU shot only 27 percent from behind the arc but controlled the majority of the statistical categories. The Cats out rebounded MBU 43-38, while forcing the Spartans into 16 turnovers and holding MBU to 10 assists. RSU dominated the points in the paint out scoring MBU 38-22.
Taylor led the Hillcats in scoring with 27 points hitting 4-of-8 from long distance. Alburey Doss recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 boards. The double-double was the second this season for Doss.
Joining Doss in the double-double club tonight was John Boyd with 14 points and 12 rebounds. The performance was the third double-double of the season for Boyd. Matt Kellogg rounded out the double digit scorers with 14.
Rogers State (3-2) will close out the trip to Canton, Mo. for the Culver-Stockton Classic, Saturday, Nov. 20 vs. William Woods. The game will be broadcast live on RSU Radio 91.3FM with tip-off set at 1 p.m.
