CLAREMORE, Okla. – Junior guard Baron Smith Jr. hit two free throws with nine seconds remaining to lift the Rogers State men's basketball team to a 77-75 victory over St. Edward's on Thursday (Jan. 12) at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
The Hilltoppers went up 75-74 with 28 seconds remaining on a driving layup from Ramir Burton. After a timeout from RSU, Smith drove to the basket and was fouled with nine seconds on the clock. Smith calmly sank both free throws for the 76-75 edge with seconds remaining.
 
SEU had a chance to tie the score or take the lead with free throws with four seconds left. With the Hilltoppers in the bonus, Sean Watkins missed the first attempt of a 1-and-1 opportunity, and RSU's Johnathon Buckley gathering the ball after a long scramble. He was fouled with one second left, making one of two free throws for the 77-75 final score.
 
The go-ahead free throws from Smith gave him a career-high 26 points as he shot 8-of-10 from the field, including 3-for-3 shooting from three. Smith totaled 17 of the 26 points in the first half on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting from the field.
 
RSU started the game hot from the field, making its first five shots highlighted by a Jeylyn Sharpe dunk. In the first half, the navy and red shot a blistering 64 percent, going 16-of-26 from the field. The Cats built a 38-31 advantage at halftime.
 
The Hilltoppers started the second half with an 8-0 run for their first lead since 2-0 less than one minute into the game. The Cats responded and took the lead and held it in the second half until the SEU field goal for a 75-74 score with 28 seconds left before the Smith free throws.  
 
Sharpe posted 16 points and a team-high six rebounds, and Johnathon Buckley went for 15 points in 26 minutes off the bench. JD Tisdale hit double figures with 10 points and added a team-high four assists.
 
For the game, the navy and red shot 54.7 percent (29-53) from the field, their highest percentage in league play this season.
 
SEU's Ethan Gilbert scored a team-high 20 points as four Hilltoppers totaled double figures. SEU shot 50 percent (27-54) from the field, including 57.7 percent (15-26) in the second half.  
 
The Hillcats (11-6, 4-3) continue its five-game homestand with Oklahoma Christian on Saturday (Jan. 14) at 1 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center. Coverage will be available on radio at 91.3 FM, on television on RSU TV (35) and on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.