ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Rogers State men's basketball (5-1, 0-1 MIAA) suffered their first loss of the season  in a 68-52 bout to open MIAA play against Missouri Western (5-4, 1-0 MIAA) on Thursday.

Tylan Dean and Devin Pullum led the Hillcats with 11 points apiece, with Dean adding three rebounds and a steal and Pullum adding two rebounds and an assist. Both Gerren Jackson and Joey Saracco posted nine points, with Jackson adding nine rebounds and a steal and Saracco adding five rebounds, two blocks and a steal.

After going up 4-2 to start the game, RSU fell behind 14-6 thanks in part to a 12-2 run by the Griffons midway through the opening half. MWSU would go on to take their first double-digit lead of the game at 25-15 with 2:51 left in the period, and carry a 31-18 advantage in to the break.

Things didn't fare much better in the second half for the Hillcats as they were outshot 37-34. The Griffons took their largest lead of the game at 59-34 with 8:26 left in the game. However, RSU fought back to close out the game with a 18-9 run, but came up short as Missouri Western took the 68-52 win.

The Hillcats will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 4 as they close out the four-game road trip in Maryville, Mo. with a game against the defending national champions, No. 2 Northwest Missouri. Tipoff is slated for 3:30 p.m.