EMPORIA, Kan. – Rogers State men's basketball (11-10, 7-8 MIAA) could not contain a hot-shooting Emporia State (17-4, 11-4 MIAA) in the second half as the Hillcats fell 77-63 on Sunday.
 
Three Hillcats finished in double figures on the day. Chris Whitaker led the way with 11 points and two steals. Isaac Johnson added 10 points with a team-high five rebounds and a steal. Sam Davidson also contributed 10 points with a rebound.
 
After a quick bucket from Whitaker to start the game, the Hornets responded with a 9-0 run to take an early 9-2 lead. RSU answered back with a 5-0 run to cut the lead down to 9-7. ESU again pushed the margin out to 15-6. From there, the two sides traded shots for the next few minutes until the Hillcats started a 12-3 run with seven minutes left to close out the half with a 32-26 lead, going a perfect 16-for-16 from the free throw line in the period.
 
The second half would tell a different story as the Hornets came out of the locker room on fire and went on an 11-0 run to open the period, which included three-straight threes, to retake the lead 42-34. The shot from beyond the perimeter would define the second half as ESU would drain nine triples and make 12 of their 14 free throws in the period to outscore RSU 51-31 and claim the 77-63 win.
 
The Hillcats will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 4 as they return to the Claremore Expo Center to close out the season series against rival Northeastern State. Tip off is set for 3:30 p.m.