CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State didn't look pretty doing it but fought its way to an 80-77 victory over Mid-America Christian inside the Claremore Expo Monday night.
The Evangels jumped out to an early 14-0 lead as the Hillcats were anemic from the field shooting 0-7 during the opening five minutes. A strong drive and layup by Deveric Taylor opened up the scoring for the Hillcats at the 14:40 mark of the first half. Once Taylor took the lid off the basket, RSU went on a 26-12 run to tie the game after another strong take by Taylor to the basket. Entering halftime RSU led its opponents from Oklahoma City, 39-35.
RSU opened the second period much like the first letting the Evangels get off to a 9-3 run in the first four minutes. The two squads traded jabs before the Cats jumped out to its largest lead of the night at eight points off a Taylor 3-pointer with seven minutes remaining.
MACU (7-5, 3-3) tied the game off a Brandon Williams jumper with three minutes remaining. A pair of made free throws by Nathan Pratt put the Hillcat lead at 79-77 with 37 seconds remaining. A turnover by the Cats put the home team fans on the edge of their seat as the Evangels took possession of the ball with seven seconds remaining. Pratt attempted a 3-point shot from the right wing but Hillcat guard Alex Ewings came off the screen and skied to block the long distance attempt as it came off Pratt's hands. MACU had one last attempt but a Pratt 3-point miss was boarded by the Hillcats. A free throw make by Larry Cox and subsequent miss ran out the clock and gave RSU the 80-77 victory over MACU.
Taylor led the Hillcats with 21 points as Coach Justin Barkley's starters tallied double-digit scoring. Larry Cox made quite the home debut recording his first double-double finishing with 10 points and 12 rebounds. John Boyd registered 16 points on the night. Guards Matt Kellogg and Maurice Rutherford had 11 points apiece.
Brandon Williams led the Evangels in scoring with 22 while John Shodipo and Nathan Pratt rounded out the double-digit scoring, both finishing with 12.
Shooting an abysmal 20 percent from behind the arc the Cats made up for it by shooting 74 percent from the charity stripe. Rogers State blocked five shots as a team and out-rebounded the Evangels 46-40 to help secure the victory.
Rogers State (7-6, 3-3) will return to the court Thursday hosting St. Gregory's at the Claremore Expo. Tip time is set for 8 p.m. and the game will be carried live on RSU Radio 91.3FM.
