CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State men's basketball fell in it's season and conference opener Thursday night, falling in overtime to Missouri Western 63-55 at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
The Hillcats (0-1, 0-1 MIAA) were outscored by the Griffons (1-0, 1-0 MIAA) in the extra period, falling in the second meeting between the two schools.
 
How it Happened: Missouri Western started the game on a 7-0 run over the first 2:35 of the game and opened up as much as an eight-point lead in the first half before the Hillcats clawed their way back into the contest midway through the first half.
 
After transfer Joey Saracco tied the game at 18 with a free throw, fellow newcomer Devin Pullum gave the Hillcats their first lead in the game with a three pointer to put RSU ahead 21-18 with 3:22 left in the half. The teams would trade the lead twice more before heading into the break tied at 25.
 
The Hillcats took the lead on Saracco's free throws 21 seconds into the second half and the Hillcats held the lead for the next 9:15 of the game, but never led by more than five points.
 
Missouri Western then led for most of the remainder of the game until Brewster Peacock went to the free-throw line with RSU trailing 51-50 with seven seconds remaining. Peacock missed the front end of two free throws, but tied the game at 51, forcing overtime.
 
The Griffons scored 16 seconds into overtime and never trailed, scoring the first six points on their way to outscoring the Hillcats 17-4 in the five-minute period.
 
Key Statistics:  The Hillcats shot just 22 percent in the overtime period while Missouri Western shot 60 percent from the field.
 
Players of Note: Sophomore Destin Eke led the Hillcats in scoring, coming off the bench to finish with 14 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes of action. Eke finished 6-for-8 from the field and also had a block and an assist.
 
Devin Pullum was the only other Hillcat in double figures, finishing with 12 points in his debut for the navy and red. The senior also had four rebounds, two steals and two assists in 40 minutes of action.
 
Saracco scored eight points in his debut for the Hillcats. The junior also grabbed six rebounds.
 
Ricardo Lynch led the Hillcats on the glass, finishing with eight rebounds. He also had six points.
 
Up Next: Rogers State will welcome in preseason No. 1 Northwest Missouri State. The Hillcats will meet the defending MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Champions for just the second time in school history with tip off set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Claremore Expo Center.