SAN ANTONIO – Rogers State men's basketball (10-4) came up short against Missouri-St. Louis (5-6) in a 67-57 decision in the final game of the River City Holiday Classic on Wednesday.
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Anthony Marshall Jr. led RSU with 16 points to go with a team-high four assists, two rebounds, two steals and a block.
Kofi Hamilton put up 14 points with three rebounds and two assists.
Jabryn Anderson contributed nine points with three rebounds, two assists and a block.
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The Hillcats got off to a slow start as the Tritons opened the game on a 12-6 run with 12:34 left in the period. They seemed to find their footing as they responded with six-straight points to tie things back up at 12-12 midway through the period. However, UMSL punched back as they took their largest lead of the half at 21-14 with 7:43 remaining and eventually took a 29-24 advantage into the break.
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RSU came out of the locker room trying to bounce back as they cut the deficit down to three points at 31-28 two minutes into the second half. Unfortunately, a 10-0 run gave the Tritons their first double-digit lead of the game at 41-28 at the 13:56 mark. They took their largest lead of the game at 51-35 midway through the half. From there, the Hillcats went to work trimming the deficit and used a 22-10 run to get back within two possessions at 61-57 with 1:26 left. However, USML snuffed out the comeback attempt with made free throws down the stretch, claiming the 67-57 win.
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The Hillcats will look to regroup as they return to MIAA play on Sunday, Dec. 22, and close out the calendar year on the road at Edmond, Okla. in a meeting with in-state rival Central Oklahoma. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
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