HAYS, Kan. – The Rogers State men's basketball team closed 2020 with a 78-71 loss on the road at Fort Hays State Sunday afternoon at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
 
After leading early, the Hillcats trailed for the final 27:28 of the game, as Rogers State failed to put together back-to-back wins on the final road trip of the semester.
 
How It Happened: Rogers State made its first three baskets of the game, but also had three turnovers during the stretch as the Hillcats could only open up as much as a four-point lead despite the hot-shooting start.
 
After the Hillcats opened up an 8-4 lead, Fort Hays State went on a 5-0 run and Rogers State never led again. Rogers State would tie the game three times at 9, 11 and 17 before the Tigers went in front for good at the 7:28 mark of the first half with an 8-2 run.
 
Fort Hays opened up as much as a 13-point lead in the half before Rogers State went on an 8-0 run at the end of the half to make it a five-point deficit at the break, 39-34.
 
However, three pointers on four-straight possessions from Fort Hays to begin the second half sparked a 12-2 run, proving to be an insurmountable gap for the Hillcats.
 
Rogers State would respond with a 9-2 run midway through the second, cutting the deficit to just five at 55-60, but it would be as close as the Hillcats could get as the Tigers responded with a 13-3 run.
 
The Hillcats worked the game back to single digits late, but Fort Hays made 5-of-7 from the free-throw line in the final 90 seconds to seal their fourth-straight victory.
 
Key Statistics: Rogers State recorded 15 offensive rebounds in the game, but converted the second-chance opportunities into just 11 points.
 
The Hillcats were just 12-for-19 (63 percent) from the free-throw line, while Fort Hays was 25-for-28 (89 percent).
 
Players of Note: Ricardo Lynch led the Hillcats with 16 points off the bench, his highest point total since joining the Hillcats last season. Lynch sank four three pointers and also had five rebounds and two steals.
 
Darraja Parnell finished with 13 points after missing the majority of the first half in foul trouble. Despite just 22 minutes of action, Parnell led the Hillcats on the glass with seven rebounds. He also had two assists and a steal.
 
Joey Saracco finished with 12 points, recording double digits for the second time this season. Saracco also had four rebounds.
 
Jett Sternberger rounded out the Hillcats in double figures with 11 points. He also had two rebounds, a steal and an assist.
 
Devin Pullum led the Hillcats with six assists, but was held to a season low two points, the first time all season he was held to single digits in scoring.
 
Game Notes: Rogers State has gone nine games without back-to-back wins, dating back to last season. The run without back-to-back wins hasn't happened since 2014 when the Hillcats went nine games over the course of the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.
 
The 2-5 start for the Hillcats is the worst in school history. The previous worst start through seven games came in 2010-11, a 4-3 start.
 
The Hillcats .632 at the free-throw line on Sunday is the worst free-throw shooting performance for the Hillcats this season.
 
Up Next: The Hillcats will be off until the New Year as they return to action on January 4 when they welcome in Emporia State in a make up of a postponed game from early December. Tip off with the Hornets is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the Claremore Expo Center.