Wichita, Kan. – Rogers State men's basketball picked up a crucial MIAA victory over Newman, 85-72, on Saturday night at Fugate Gymnasium.
 
Five Hillcats (10-10, 10-10 MIAA) finished in double figures as the Hillcats defeated the Jets (3-17, 3-17 MIAA) to move into a tie for the eighth and final postseason spot with two games remaining.
 
How It Happened: The Jets jumped to an early lead to begin the first half of the game over Hillcats, as they went on an 8-2 run in the opening minutes.
 
However, the Hillcats went on a 13-2 run that was sparked by a three-point jumper by Devin Pullum at the 14:53 mark in the first half. Brewster Peacock gave the Hillcats the lead at 17-15 with a jumper at the 10:32 mark.
 
The Hillcats led the Jets by as many as seven points in the first half of play and went into the locker room with a 40-38 advantage.
 
Peacock led the Hillcats with 11 points and two rebounds, shooting 4-for-6 from the field in the first half. The Hillcats outscored the Jets 8-to-2 in points off of turnovers and 10-to-5 in second-chance points in the first half.
 
The Jets regained the lead in the second half after a made three-pointer at the 14:43 mark.
 
After the two teams traded baskets, Peacock gave the Hillcats back the lead at 12:59 after a three-point jumper off of a pass from Destin Eke.
 
The Hillcats went on a 19-4 run towards the end of the half, including an 8-0 run in 90 seconds, to take a 15-point lead. The Hillcats went 6-for-9 from behind the arc in the run, and it was capped off by a fast break layup from Darraja Parnell.
 
Key Statistic: Rogers State scored 23 points off of 12 Newman turnovers, while Newman scored only two points off of six Hillcats turnovers.
 
Players of Note: Pullum came off the bench for the first time this season and finished with 18 points, shooting 4-for-7 from behind the arc. Pullum also had four assists and a rebound.
 
Parnell was second in scoring with 17 points, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. He also recorded five rebounds, four assists, and a pair of steals.
 
Peacock finished with 16 points. The senior shot 60 percent for the game with a pair of three pointers. He also recorded three rebounds and two assists.
 
Sophomore Jett Sternberger finished with 11 points. He also recorded six rebounds, two steals, and an assist.
 
Eke also finished with 11 points. He added four rebounds and an assist.
 
Notes from the Game: The Hillcats had just seven turnovers in the game and have now gone four-straight games with single-digit turnovers.
 
Rogers State led the game by as many as 16 points and led the game for 25:55 minutes.
 
The Hillcats won the rebounding battle 32-29, with the difference coming on the offensive glass as RSU held a 9-6 advantage. Rogers State converted their offensive rebounds, outscoring Newman 15-to-5 in second-chance points.
 
The Hillcats had a season high five players finish in double figures.
 
Rogers State improves to 11-5 over the Jets in the series history.
 
Up Next:  Rogers State will close out the home schedule when the Hillcats return to the Claremore Expo Center on Wednesday to take on Central Oklahoma in a makeup game that was postponed on Monday. The Hillcats will tip off with the Bronchos at 3:00 p.m.