CLAREMORE, Okla. –   The Rogers State men's basketball team picked up a big win in their final home game of the season, as they defeated the Bronchos of Central Oklahoma by a final score of 87-80 Wednesday afternoon at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
Senior Brewster Peacock set a career-high in points with 28 and three others finished in double-figures, as the Hillcats (11-10, 11-10 MIAA) defeated the Bronchos (10-10, 10-10 MIAA) in a thrilling home finale in come-back fashion. 
 
How It Happened: The two teams began the game exchanging baskets in the early going. However, the Bronchos would lead the Hillcats by as many as nine points on multiple occasions.
 
Near the end of the half, a pair of free-throws from senior Cole Kinnamon sparked a 7-2 Hillcat run, to cut the Broncho lead to three with 3:35 left in the first half.
 
The Hillcats and Bronchos continued to trade baskets for the remainder of the half, and the Bronchos would head into the locker room with a 38-32 advantage.
 
At the half, Brewster Peacock led the Hillcats with eight first-half points, followed by seniors Darraja Parnell and Devin Pullum, who both had six. The Bronchos won the battle of the boards in the first half, as they rebounded the Hillcats 22-to-11. The Hillcats only shot 12-for-30 (40 percent) from the field, while the Bronchos shot 15-for-29 (51 percent).
 
Back-to-back three-pointers from the Bronchos at 13:21 and 12:51in the second half, would give the Bronchos their biggest lead of the second half with nine points.
 
The Hillcats would respond immediately with a 12-5 run that was sparked by a three-pointer from Peacock. The run from the Hillcats cut the Bronchos lead to just two.
 
After back-to-back three-pointers from Peacock at 5:56 and 5:02, the Hillcats would take over the lead at 68-66, and they would not trail for the remainder of the contest.
 
The Hillcats would go on to beat the Bronchos by a final score of 87-80.
 
Key Statistics: Rogers State shot 17-for-25 (68 percent) from the field and 8-for-12 (66 percent) from three in the second half, with Central Oklahoma only 14-for-31 (45 percent) from the field and 4-for-12 (33 percent) from behind the arc in the second half.
 
Players of Note:  Peacock finished with a season and career-high 28 points, shooting 9-for-15 from the field and 7-for-12 from behind the arc. He also had three rebounds, an assist, and a block. Peacock moved into fourth place in all-time scoring at Rogers State with today's performance.
 
Pullum finished second in scoring with 19 points, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. He also recorded, five assists, four rebounds, and a steal.
 
Parnell finished with 16 points on 60 percent shooting for the game. He also recorded seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a pair of blocks.
 
Freshman Preston Lawrence finished with 10 points, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the field. He also recorded four rebounds.
 
Notes from the game: With the win, the Hillcats move into a tie with Fort Hays State at 11-10 for sixth in the MIAA Standings with one game to go. The top eight earn a spot in next week's MIAA Tournament.
 
The Hillcats outscored the Bronchos 16-to-11 in bench points.
 
Rogers State also outscored Central Oklahoma 15-to-10 in point off of fast breaks
 
Up Next: Rogers State will wrap up the regular season on the road on Saturday as the Hillcats make the short trip to Tahlequah to take on in-state rival Northeastern State. The Hillcats and the RiverHawks are set to tip off at 3:30 pm.