WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Rogers State men's basketball (16-11, 13-8 MIAA) dropped a 75-57 game to Central Missouri (12-15, 7-14 MIAA) on Thursday.
 
Kofi Hamilton led the Hillcats with 18 points and seven rebounds as well as three steals. Rodney Battle finished with nine points and a block. Isaac Johnson contributed six points, three rebounds, an assist and a block.
 
After the Hillcats took an early 3-0 lead, the Mules responded with a 16-0 run to go up 16-3. RSU battled back with a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to 18-13 just over midway through the half. However, UCM was able to hold serve and took a 38-28 lead into the break.
 
The Hillcats showed a little more life early in the second half as they were able to get within four points at 40-36 with 15:45 left, but that would be as close as they would get. The Mules took control of the game with an 11-0 run to push back out to a 53-38 lead. They took their largest lead of the game at 73-50 with 2:10 left and eventually claimed the 75-57 win.
 
RSU will need a short memory as they travel to Jefferson City, Mo. on Saturday, March 2 and take on Lincoln in the regular season finale. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.