SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Rogers State Men's Basketball overcame a nine-point deficit in the final 2:17 to force overtime and defeat St. Mary's 78-74 Thursday night in Heartland Conference play.
 
Tate Turner set a new career high with 23 points in the victory, which also snapped a three-game losing skid for the Hillcats (14-6, 3-3 Heartland).
 
After St. Mary's (9-9, 1-5) took its largest lead of the game at 61-52, the Hillcats went on a 10-2 run over the final 2:17 to force the overtime period. Turner had six points in the run, including the game-tying point on a free throw with 27 seconds to go.
 
Saint Hilaire would make the first four points of the overtime period, giving the Hillcats a 66-64 lead. Brewster Peacock then followed it up with a three pointer on the Hillcats next possession and the Rattlers would never get closer than three over the remainder of the overtime.
 
The Hillcats would have the largest lead of the game, going up by 11 with 9:14 to go in the first half. St. Mary's would cut the deficit to just two at the halftime break before pulling ahead late in the second half.
 
Turner was 10-of-13 from the free-throw line in the game, also a career high for the senior guard. Turner also had a pair of rebounds, a steal and an assist in the winning effort.
 
Peacock matched a career high with four made three pointers in the game. The sophomore finished with 18 points, six rebounds, a block and a steal before fouling out in overtime.
 
Hilaire also finished in double figures with 11 points, while Tavian Davis led the Hillcats off the bench with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
 
Rogers State shot 43 percent in the game and held St. Mary's to just 40 percent shooting. The Hillcats were also 47 percent from behind the arc, while the Rattlers were held to just 27 percent.
 
St. Mary's led the Hillcats on the glass, outrebounding RSU 49-24.
 
Rogers State forced 21 turnovers from the Rattlers and outscored St. Mary's 27-8 in points off of turnovers.
 
Rogers State will continue their longest road trip of the season with a trip down to Laredo, Texas to take on Texas A&M International Saturday afternoon. The Hillcats and Dustdevils will tip off at 3:00 p.m. at the Kinesiology and Convocation Building.