TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – After erasing a 17-point second half deficit, Rogers State men's basketball (13-9, 10-6 MIAA) claimed an 89-87 win over archrival Northeastern State (8-14, 3-13 MIAA) in a wild overtime game on the road on Saturday.
 
Three Hillcats finished in double figures in the win. Issac Johnson led all scorers as he tied his career-high with 29 points as well as three assists, a rebound and a steal. Evan Anderson added 19 points with six rebounds and an assist. Anthony Marshall Jr. put up 13 points with three rebounds, four assists and two steals.
 
RSU started the game hot as they opened on a 7-1 run in the first four minutes. However, the RiverHawks slowly found their way back into the game as they pulled off an 11-3 run midway through the period to take their first lead at 17-15 with just under 10 minutes left in the half. The two sides traded buckets over the next few minutes with three lead changes and one tie. Down 21-20, the Hillcats went on a 12-5 run to reclaim a 32-26 lead. However, NSU managed to go on a 6-2 run with two minutes left to leave RSU with a slim 38-37 margin headed into the break.
 
The RiverHawks carried that momentum into the second half as they came out of the locker room and started the period on a 12-1 run to go up 49-39. They took their largest lead of the game at 62-45 thanks to an 11-0 run with 13 minutes left. Down 67-51 with just under 11 minutes left, RSU caught fire as they tore off a 14-0 run to get within two points at 67-65. They eventually tied the game at 71-71 with just over a minute left. Down 79-76 with two seconds left, Sam Davidson heaved a pass to Kofi Hamilton from the end line to just outside the three-point arc. Hamilton then dished the ball to Rodney Battle, who took a step and drained a three-pointer with time expiring to send the game into overtime deadlocked at 79-79.


In the overtime period, RSU raced out to an 83-79 lead before the RiverHawks knocked down two quick jumpers to knot things back at 83-83. The Hillcats again used a 5-0 run with just over a minute left to go back up 88-83 with eight seconds left. On the ensuing possession, NSU got the ball down the court and made their own clutch three and got fouled, making the free throw to pull within one at 88-87 with five seconds left. Rodney Battle was fouled on the inbound and made one of his free throws to seal the 89-87 win.
 
The Hillcats will look to take their momentum on the road on Thursday, Feb. 19 as they travel to Maryville, Mo. to face off against No. 12 Northwest Missouri. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.