CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State Men's Basketball opened up the MIAA era with a 64-57 victory over Central Oklahoma Thursday night at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
The Hillcats (7-1, 1-0 MIAA) battled with the Bronchos (3-6, 0-1 MIAA) in a game that saw 15 lead changes and eight ties. While the Hillcats led for 25:26 in the game and took a 28-26 lead into the break at halftime, the lead would change six times in the second half before Rogers State took the lead for good. RSU had a three pointer by Brewster Peacock to tie the game at 51 at 5:54, followed by a jumper in the paint from Tavian Davis at 5:02 to put the Hillcats in front 53-51.
 
The three pointer by Peacock ignited a 16-6 run for the Hillcats over the final 5:54 of the game. The Hillcats would go 6-for-6 at the free-throw line during the run, part of a 15-for-16 night at the stripe. Rogers State's 93.8 percent shooting at the free-throw line was the second best performance ever for the Hillcats in a game, behind only a 16-for-16 night at the line in January of 2011.
 
Davis had big night for the Hillcats, sharing the lead in scoring with Marques Sumner as the seniors finished with 17 points each. Davis helped fuel a strong second half for the navy and red, scoring 15 of his 17 points in the second frame. Davis also led the Hillcats with seven assists, while collecting five rebounds and a steal.
 
Sumner led the Hillcats with five of the nine three pointers for Rogers State in the game, who shot 40.9 percent from behind the arc. Sumner also led the Hillcats with three steals and had two rebounds and an assist.
 
Peacock was the only other Hillcat in double figures, finishing with 12 points. Peacock scored eight of the 12 in the second half on two momentum swinging three pointers and two free throws. Peacock also had a pair of steals and five rebounds in the game.
 
Gabriel Ferreira led the Hillcats on the glass with seven rebounds, which was tied for a game high with Justin Nimmer of Central Oklahoma. Ferreira had six points in the game, but also had two steals and two blocked shots, helping the Hillcats to a season high.
 
Christopher Miller played a big part in the season high in blocks, recording three in the game. Jett Sternberger had the other block for Rogers State. Miller joined Ferreira with six points and also had six rebounds. Sternberger had four points, four rebounds, a steal and an assist along with his block.
 
Darraja Parnell added the other two points for the Hillcats in the game and also had a rebound.
 
The Hillcats lost the battle on the glass 39-32, but outshot the Bronchos in the game. The visitors shot 34 percent for the game and 25 percent from three-point range. Central Oklahoma was also 81 percent from the line, going 17-for-21. Dashon Bell led the Bronchos in scoring finishing as the only player for the visitors in double figures with 15 points.
 
Rogers State also won the turnover battle, forcing 15 from the Bronchos with nine steals, compared to just 10 turnovers. Rogers State had 10 points of turnovers in the game, compared to four from the visitors.
 
The win marks the first conference victory for the Hillcats in the MIAA in their first opportunity. The Hillcats, who are now 3-1 all-time against Central Oklahoma, also remain perfect in the NCAA era in conference home openers, improving to 7-0.
 
Rogers State will remain at home and welcome in former Heartland Conference foe Newman on Saturday, as the two teams square off for the first time as members of the MIAA. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center.