CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State Men's Basketball team overcame a double-digit deficit but fell late to Lubbock Christian 76-72 in Heartland Conference play at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
Lubbock Christian opened up a 12-point lead in the first half, but the Hillcats rallied back with a surge over the final minutes of the half and tied the game at 38 heading into the break with a Jordan Johnson three pointer at the buzzer.
 
The two teams traded the lead 12 times in the second half, with neither team going ahead by more than six points and all but two minutes of the half being a one possession game.
 
After the teams traded the lead on eight consecutive possessions, Lubbock Christian took the lead with 2:56 remaining and never trailed again, answering every Hillcat basket over the final minutes.
 
Tate Turner led the Hillcats with 18 points, while also recording two steals, a block and a rebound.
 
Johnson finished with 15 points in the game and had three assists and two rebounds.
 
Latrell Tidwell was the only other Hillcat in double figures, finishing with 11 points and a team-high six rebounds.
 
Rogers State will return to action on Thursday, hosting St. Mary's in a Heartland Conference doubleheader. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center.