CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State men's basketball team picked up a 74-67 win against Northeastern State in MIAA play on Saturday at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
Senior Devin Pullum led the Hillcats (5-5, 5-5 MIAA) in scoring with a Rogers State season high 31 points, as the Hillcats defeated the in-state conference rival RiverHawks (2-8, 2-8 MIAA) to extend their win streak to three games.
 
How It Happened: The two teams began the game battling, as there were three lead changes and six ties in the first half of action.
 
A jump shot from Senior Darraja Parnell at the 10:28 mark sparked an 11-0 Hillcat run in the first half. The RiverHawks regained the lead with 1:36 left in the first half, after hitting on a pair of free-throws and would head to the locker room at the half with a 30-26 advantage over the Hillcats.
 
In the second half, the two teams continued to battle in the early going. A three pointer from Pullum at the 17:22 mark gave the Hillcats their first lead in the second half and the Hillcats would not trail the RiverHawks for the remainder of the game.
 
After Northeastern State tied the game at 33, Rogers State went on an 8-0 run to take control early on in the second half.
 
Midway through the second half, the RiverHawks would cut the deficit to just four at 49-45, but that would be as close as the visitors would get. Rogers State would immediately respond with a 7-1 run to go back up by 10 points.
 
The Hillcats extended the lead to as much as 11 in the final minute to seal the victory.
 
Key Statistic:  Rogers State shot 26-for-33 (79 percent) from the free-throw line, while Northeastern State shot 23-for-38 (60 percent) from the free-throw line.
 
Rogers State outrebounded Northeastern State 45-35 in the game.
 
Players of Note:  Pullum led all scorers with 31 points, sinking four three pointers and, while also going 13-for-14 from the free-throw line. He also had three assists and a pair of rebounds. 
 
Parnell finished with his first double-double of the season. He finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and a block.
 
Sophomore Jett Sternberger finished with 11 points, shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. He also recorded two rebounds, two steals, and an assist.
 
Sophomore Destin Eke finished with nine points, shooting 4-for-5 from the field. He was one point shy of back-to-back double doubles, as he recorded 10 rebounds, along with a block.
 
Senior Brewster Peacock finished the game with nine rebounds. He also added four points, one assist, and a block.
 
Notables:  Rogers State outscored Northeastern State 12-5 in second-chance points.
 
The Hillcats have won three-straight games, all at home, to begin 2021.
 
Rogers State has won four of the last five games overall after starting the season 1-4.
 
The Hillcats 26 free throws made and 33 free throw attempts are both season highs. RSU also set season highs for rebounds (45), blocks (4), and fouls (28).
 
Up Next:  Rogers State is set to hit the road for the first time in 2021, as the Hillcats begin a two-game road swing with a trip to Jefferson City, Missouri to take on Lincoln University on Thursday, January 21. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Jason Gym in the capital city.