MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Rogers State men's basketball (6-2) dropped a heartbreaker on the road to Southern Arkansas (3-2) as they came up short 71-68 on Saturday.
 
Four Hillcats finished in double figures. Jabryn Anderson and Kofi Hamilton led RSU with 14 points apiece, with Anderson posting a double-double with 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block while Hamilton added five rebounds, three assists and a block. Benard Omooria put up 11 points with two rebounds, an assist and a steal. Andrew Mason contributed 11 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists.
 
The early part of the first half was a back-and-forth affair with four ties and a lead change. The Hillcats came out on top and went on a 17-0 run to go up 29-12 with seven minutes left in the period. From there, the Muleriders went to work trimming the deficit that included an 18-5 run of their own to close out the half and dropped RSU's advantage to a slim 34-30 lead headed into the break.
 
The Hillcats were able to push their lead back out to seven at 42-35 just over three minutes into the second half. Unfortunately, SAU was able to rekindle their momentum from the first half and tied things again at 44-44. After a Benard Omooria three-pointer put the Hillcats back in front, the Muleriders responded with two quick threes of their own to retake the lead 50-47 with just over 12 minutes left. The two sides traded buckets over the next few minutes with RSU briefly retaking the lead 56-55. Unfortunately, a 9-0 run gave SAU their largest lead of the game at 64-56 with under five minutes left to play. The Hillcats were able to get within a single possession with under a minute left. In fact, Omooria had two three point looks in the final five seconds but couldn't get either fall, with the Muleriders claiming the 71-68 win.
 
RSU will need to bounce back quickly as they return to action on Monday, Oct. 25 and travel down the road to Tulsa, Okla. for an exhibition matchup against Division I Oral Roberts. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.