CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State men's basketball (19-8, 10-5 MIAA) claimed a physical 102-92 win over in-state rival Central Oklahoma (14-10, 8-7 MIAA) on Saturday to split the season series.
 
"That one felt really good," said head Coach Justin Barkely. "I thought our defense was pretty good in the first half tonight. When you can hold that team to 45 percent shooting, that's a good night. It was and up and down game with both teams taking over 30 free throws, and that's going to happen. What I'm really proud of is they outrebounded us at their place, but we out rebounded them by eight today. We did a great job sharing the ball and moving it around. Andrew Mason keeps stacking good games, and what Jabryn Anderson did today, particularly on defense, with a double-double was crucial. That kid is tough as nails."
 
Six Hillcats finished in double figures in the win. Andrew Mason led all scorers with 22 points to go with five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. Jabryn Anderson posted a double-double with 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds with three assists, two steals and a block. Both Anthony Marshall Jr. and Benard Omooria added 16 points, with Marshall Jr. dishing out a team-high six assists. Caden Fry put up 15 points and Sam Davidson contributed 13 points.
 
RSU got out to a fast start as they opened the game on an 11-4 run. The Bronchos began to find their footing and battled back and used a 9-2 run midway through the period to briefly take a 18-17 lead. A quick 7-0 run from the Hillcats put the home team back in front 24-18 with 9:48 left in the half. UCO again made a run with an 8-0 stretch that gave them the lead back at 26-24. However, RSU got hot late in the period and closed out the half on a 20-8 run that gave them a 44-34 advantage headed into the intermission.
 
Both teams continued to play physical in the second half, with the Hillcats pushing out to a 60-47 lead to open the period. The Bronchos kept chipping away at the deficit, but every time they would get with seven points RSU had an answer and would go on a run to push the lead back out. With just over six minutes left, a common foul immediately followed by a technical foul on the Bronchos allowed the Hillcats to make four-straight free throws and extend their advantage out to its largest at 85-69. However, UCO refused to go down without a fight and kept battling but were unable to get the deficit back under double digits. RSU eventually claimed the 102-92 win.
 
The Hillcats will be back in action on Thursday, Feb. 20 as they begin the final road trip of the regular season with a stop in Warrensburg, Mo. to face off against Central Missouri. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.