CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State men's basketball team's comeback bid against No. 17 Washburn fell short Saturday afternoon, as the Hillcats fell 81-74 at the Claremore Expo Center.
How It Happened: After
Devin Pullum gave the Hillcats an early lead with a pair of free throws, Washburn took control of the game with a 13-4 run over the next five and a half minutes to take a seven-point lead.
After the Ichabods extended the lead to as much as 12 at 26-14, the Hillcats responded with a 14-2 run to tie the game at 28 with six minutes left in the opening half.
Joey Saracco gave the Hillcats their first lead since the opening minutes of the game with a layup at 4:34 to put RSU ahead 31-30.
Washburn would then go back in front multiple times in the final minutes of the half, with Rogers State matching baskets before a basket with three seconds remaining saw the Ichabods take a 38-36 lead into the break.
The Hillcats shot just 1-for-9 in the first half from behind the arc, while Washburn was 4-for-11, the only major difference in the first 20 minutes.
In the second half, Washburn would cling to a small advantage for much of the opening 10 minutes. The Hillcats tied the game three times before
Jett Sternberger gave the hosts a quick lead at 48-47 with 13:26 to go.
However, Washburn immediately responded with a basket and went back in front, holding a one or two possession lead until the 5:33 mark when Washburn sank a pair of free throws, followed by a three pointer on the next possession to go up 68-58 with just under five minutes to play.
The Hillcats responded with a layup from Saracco, followed by four-straight free throws from
Darraja Parnell to cut the deficit to 68-64 with four minutes remaining.
After a made basket from Washburn, Ichabods' head coach Brett Ballard received a technical foul, followed by a pair of made free throws from
Brewster Peacock. Sarraco then made a layup to make it a one-possession game at 70-68.
However, the Hillcats could not close the gap anymore as the Ichaboods were 9-for-12 from the free-throw line in the final three minutes to keep the Hillcats at bay.
Key Statistics: The Hillcats shot just 2-for-18 (11.1 percent) from the three-point line, while Washburn was 8-for-20 (40.0 percent)
The Hillcats shot just 22-for-32 (68.8 percent) from the free-throw line after entering the game shooting 80.8 percent from the line entering the game.
Players of Note: Saracco finished the game with 26 points, shooting 12-for-15 from the field. He also finished with seven rebounds.
Pullum finished the game with 17 points, shooting 7-for-14 from the field. He also recorded four rebounds and three assists.
Parnell finished with nine points, including 5-for-6 from the free-throw line. He also recorded four rebounds, four steals, and two assists.
Sophomore
Destin Eke finished the game with eight points. He was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. He also recorded three rebounds.
Up Next: Rogers State will hit the road for the final week of games in 2020. The Hillcats begin the trip with a visit to Nebraska to take on Nebraska-Kearney on Friday, December 18. Rogers State will tip off with the Lopers at 7:30 p.m. inside the Health and Sports Center.
