LANCASTER, Texas – Marques Sumner scored 27 points in his Hillcat debut to lead Rogers State to an 85-74 victory over Southern Arkansas in Friday night's season opener in the MIAA/GAC Conference Challenge hosted at Cedar Valley College.
 
Sumner had 16 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including four three pointers, in the first half for the Hillcats, helping Rogers State to 64.3 percent shooting over the first 20 minutes. Brewster Peacock also had 16 points and was perfect from the field in the half with six field goals, including four three pointers.
 
The Hillcats took a 46-29 lead into the break, as Rogers State held the Muleriders to 33 percent shooting and 20 percent shooting behind the arc.
 
Sumner would add 11 more points in the second half, finishing 8-of-15 from the field for the game. He was also 7-for-8 from the free throw line and collected two rebounds and two assists in his first game for the Hillcats.
 
Peacock had the third best shooting performance all time from behind the arc in Rogers State history. Peacock finished 5-for-6 from three-point range in the game, shooting 83.3 percent. He also tied for the fourth best field goal shooting performance in a Rogers State game, shooting 8-for-9 from the field for the game.
 
The junior also led the Hillcats with seven rebounds in the game. Peacock finished with three assists.
 
Christopher Miller had a strong start to his Hillcat career, joining Sumner and Peacock in double figures in the first half. Miller had 12 points over the first 20 minutes, while also grabbing four rebounds.
 
Miller was in foul trouble in the second half, but finished with 15 points. he also had two blocks before fouling out after 20 minutes of action in the game.
 
Freshman Jett Sternberger had a strong start to his collegiate career. Sternberger finished with nine points, an assist and a steal in 27 minutes.
 
Ricardo Lynch also had a big debut for the Hillcats. Lynch had a big three pointer and a pair of dunks in the second half to help Rogers State fight off a challenge from Southern Arkansas. Lynch also had five rebounds and a pair of steals in the contest.
 
Senior Tavian Davis led the Hillcats with four assists in the game. He also had six rebounds and finished with two steals. Davis added four points from 34 minutes at the point guard position.
 
Darraja Parnell and Cole Kinnamon both made Hillcat debuts in the game. Parnell had a pair of assists and a rebound. Kinnamon had a rebound as well.
 
Gabriel Ferreira made his return to the court after missing all of last season and most of 2017-18 with an injury. Ferreira played seven minutes and had a rebound in the game.
 
Rogers State finished the game shooting 53.6 percent from the field. The Hillcats were 11-for-24 (45.8) from three-point range and 14-for-17 (82.4) from the free-throw line.
 
The Hillcat defense held Southern Arkansas to 39.6 percent shooting in the came and 26 percent from behind the arc.
 
Rogers State also won the turnover battle 12-7 and had 19 points off turnovers, compared to just 10 from the Muleriders.
 
The Hillcats will return to action on Saturday, taking on Henderson State to wrap up the MIAA/GAC Conference Challenge. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at Cedar Valley College Gymnasium.