CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State men's basketball team set a school record making 41 free throws in a 69-61 victory over Lubbock Christian Thursday night at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
The Hillcats attempted a record 51 from the charity stripe and snapped a three-game losing streak by converting 80.4 percent at the line in a close contest against the Chaparrals. The game was a whistle-heavy affair that featured 62 fouls and the 41 makes is the fourth most in a single game in NCAA Division II men's basketball this season.
 
Travis Hester and Donald Moore knocked down three pointers as RSU quickly opened a 6-2 edge in the first minute of the ballgame. The margin stretched to 12-6 on a layup from J.C. Hartzler and Johnathon Buckley drained a jumper as the Hillcats moved in front 16-8.
 
A Buckley free throw gave the home side a double-figure advantage, 29-19, with 5:16 remaining in the opening half. LCU closed the gap to two points on a 12-4 run, but RSU ended the frame leading 37-31.
 
Robert Johnson took over the scoring to start the second half posting the Cats' first six points moving the margin back to double digits, 43-33. The Chaps posted a 7-0 run to close the gap and eventually took their first lead of the night, 49-48, on A.J. Luckey's triple. Luckey scored all 12 of his points in the second half willing LCU back into the game.
 
Johnson helped RSU regain the lead making four-consecutive free throws as the lead went back and forth. With the score tied 56-56, Hartzler welcomed students back to campus getting the crowd to its feet with a momentum-changing three pointer from the right wing. The Hillcats used the basket and superb free throw shooting down the stretch to secure the conference win, 69-61.
 
Hartzler led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 15-of-18 at the free throw line, while fellow seniors Moore and Johnson joined him in double figures adding 18 and 14 points, respectively. Johnson also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds and combined with Moore to hit all 20 free throw attempts.
 
RSU (12-3 overall, 4-3 HC) returns to the hardwood Saturday afternoon with a matinee against Oklahoma Panhandle State at the Claremore Expo Center. The game is slated to start at 3 p.m. and can be caught live on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live or on the airwaves of RSU Radio 91.3FM.