CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State men's basketball (9-7, 6-4 MIAA) rebounded from a 13-point deficit to knock off Lincoln (10-6, 5-5 MIAA) in physical 67-65 win on Thursday.
 
Kofi Hamilton led all scorers with 20 points (18 in the second half) to tie his career-best with four rebounds, a block and a steal. Both Rodney Battle and Isaac Johnson put up nine points a piece with Battle adding two rebounds and an assist while Johnson adding six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. Sam Davidson contributed eight points with a rebound and a steal.
 
RSU got off to a slow start as the Blue Tigers came out of the tip on fire going 4-for-4 from beyond the arc in the first five and half minutes as part of an 18-5 opening run. The Hillcats roared back to life though as they went on a 19-2 run of their own over eight minutes to jump in front 24-20 with just under five minutes left in the half. They managed to build that lead out to 28-22 before Lincoln closed out the period with five-straight points to trim the deficit to a slim 28-27 lead headed into the break.
 
The second half was a volatile, tightly contested period as the Blue Tigers started the second half on a 4-2 mini run to retake the lead 31-30 briefly in the first three minutes. RSU was able to regain control of the game as they went on a 9-2 run to go back up 39-33. However, Lincoln battled back and tied the game at 40-40 with under 12 minutes remaining. Again, the Hillcats were able to push back out to an eight-point margin at 54-46. But it was LU's Jose Roberto Tanchyn that landed the next series of blows as he made four-straight threes as part of a 12-2 run to put the Blue Tigers up 58-56 with three minutes left. RSU was able to quickly respond and retake the lead after Rodney Battle made all three free throws after being fouled to go back up 59-58. Kofi Hamilton arguably made the game-breaking play on the ensuing possession as he stole the ball from Tanchyn and raced down the court to jam the ball home and give the Hillcats a 61-58 lead and swing all the momentum back in the home team's direction. They were able to salt the game away down the stretch as Isaac Johnson made four-straight free throws in the final 16 seconds for the 67-62 victory.
 
RSU will look to extend their three-game winning streak on Saturday, Feb. 20 as they play host to Central Missouri. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m.