ALVA, Okla. - The Rogers State men's basketball team swept the regular season series over Northwestern Oklahoma State with an 85-78 victory at Percefull Fieldhouse on Thursday night.

RSU took a five-point lead with 2:30 minutes to play thanks to a jumper by Kendrell Thompson and two made free throws by Meneptha Darden. With two minutes to play, Darden slammed the ball home to keep the lead at four points and the Hillcats controlled the game from there, draining their final six free throws.

The Hillcats controlled most of the first half, however the Rangers outscored the Cats 8-4 over the final three and a half minutes to tie the contest 34-34 at the break.

The Rangers opened the second stanza with a 6-0 run and held onto the lead until the 6:22 mark when Thompson hit a jumper, followed by a trey off a steal by Brian Gibson to give the Cat a four-point lead with 4:41 to play. Coach Justin Barkley's squad clung to the lead the rest of the way as they tallied their third straight win.

RSU shot 75 percent from the charity stripe and 49 percent from the field.

Five Hillcats reached double-digits scoring led by Thompson with 17 points. Donald Williams Darden, and Alex Ewings added 13 points apiece while Larry Cox poured in 10 points. Darden went 4-5 from the field and was perfect from long distance with one trey and flawless from the charity stripe, converting four free throws.

Daryl Glover led all scorers with 22 points.

RSU forced 15 turnovers while nabbing eight steals. They edged the Rangers on the boards 34-31. 

Rogers State (19-4, 12-4) returns to action on Saturday as it host Oklahoma Christian at the Claremore Expo. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. and the game will be streamed live at www.rsuhillcats.com/live. The first 750 fans at the game will receive a Hunter the Hillcat bobblehead decked out in RSU baseball and softball gear.