CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State men's basketball team got a game-high 21 points from Damion Hooks and J.C. Hartzler but Hooks' game-winning three pointer at the buzzer fell off the front of the rim as the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith pulled off a road Heartland Conference victory 80-78 Saturday at the Claremore Expo.

The Hillcats' Jeylyn Sharpe got a critical block on a Bo Franklin shot with 17 seconds remaining in regulation leading to a timeout and the final shot opportunity. RSU erased an eight-point deficit to even the score 76-76 with 3:16 remaining after Sharpe stole an inbound pass and quickly converted under the basket getting the crowd to its feet. The Lions answered forcing back-to-back turnovers aiding a late surge for the victory.

UAFS built a double-digit lead in the first half using a 10-0 run to take its biggest advantage of the day 24-11 and held off a Hillcat rally late in the opening stanza to take a 38-31 lead into the locker room at halftime.

RSU found its rhythm offensively early in the second half taking its first lead of the game at the 16:05 mark after Hartzler knocked down one of his four three pointers on the day. The basket gave the Hillcats a 47-44 advantage capping a 16-4 run and a Hartzler free throw two minutes later put RSU in front 53-58, its largest lead of the game.

The Lions battled right back with a run of their own scoring 12 of the next 14 points jumping back in front 60-55 at the midpoint of the half and never trailed again holding off the Hillcats desperation rally for the 80-78 win. UAFS finished the game shooting 56 percent from the floor.

Robinson Odoch Opong joined Hooks and Hartzler in double figures netting 10 points. Kenny Martin led four UAFS players in double digits with 16 points while Jake Toupal added 15. Blake Branham and Alex Cooper combined for 25 of the Lions' 33 bench points scoring 15 and 10 points, respectively.