CLAREMORE, Okla. – Tate Turner scored a career high 24 points against Oklahoma Christian in Saturday's 87-71 victory for the Rogers State Men's Basketball team at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
Turner was 8-for-16 from the field and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line as he led all scorers in a pivotal Heartland Conference battle for both teams.
 
The Hillcats hardly trailed in a tight battle over the first 20 minutes, as the Eagles never went ahead by more than one point and only took a 34-33 lead into the break.
 
However, Turner scored 18 second-half points while Latrell Tidwell added 10 of his 17 points in the second half as Rogers State outscored the visitors by 17 in the final 20 minutes to cruise to victory.
 
Tavian Davis joined Turner and Tidwell in double figures, finishing with 13 points. Saint Hilaire finished just shy of double figures with nine points and seven rebounds.
 
Destin Eke set a career high in the contest, finishing with nine rebounds to lead the way for the Hillcats. He also had five points and two assists.
 
Chase Littlejohn and Josh Joiner both had eight points for the Hillcats.
 
Rogers State shot 48 percent from the field, while Oklahoma Christian finished with 44 percent shooting. The Hillcats outrebounded the Eagles 39-30 and Rogers State was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, finishing 25-of-27.
 
The Hillcats will hit the road and travel to Austin, Texas for a midweek clash against current #2 St. Edward's University on February 13. Rogers State will tip off with the Hilltoppers at 7:30 p.m.