CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State shot 53.3 percent from behind the arc including a second half that saw the Cats connect on 6-of-9 from 3-point range as the men topped Northwestern Oklahoma State Saturday evening inside the Claremore Expo, 79-68.

Kendrell Thompson continued his impressive play from Thursday as the junior guard went 3-of-5 from long distance and led the Hillcats with 19 points. Tonight marked the twelfth game the Houston, Texas native has scored in double-figures out of the Hillcats 17 games.

A Thompson 3-pointer with 10:37 remaining gave RSU its first double-digit lead of the contest, spurring the Hillcats to an eventual 17 point advantage off a Donald Williams shot from behind the arc with 2:40 to go.

The Cats led 38-30 at the intermission as Larry Cox posted 11 points, on 9-of-9 shooting from the charity stripe, in the first stanza.

Northwestern Oklahoma State (7-10, 4-6) was led in scoring by Marshall Bell with 20 as the Rangers hit just 26.7 percent from long distance and was 10-for-20 from the free throw line.

Joining Thompson on the Hillcat double-figure scoring list was Cox finishing with 17. Justynn Hammond tallied 12 points while Donald Williams posted 10 for his fifth consecutive double-digit point contest.

RSU out rebounded the Rangers 46-21 as NWOSU forced the Cats into 22 turnovers, nabbing 14 steals. The Hillcats made six steals on the Rangers 10 turnovers.

Rogers State (15-2, 8-2) will take the first step of the West Texas Two Step on Thursday, Jan. 19 as the Hillcats face Lubbock Christian, game time is set for 7:45 p.m. The game will be carried on www.rsuhillcats.com/live.