CLAREMORE, Okla. — An overall team performance highlighted by stout defense helped Rogers State men's basketball (9-5, 3-2 MIAA) secure a 73-61 victory over No. 5 Arkansas-Fort Smith (13-1, 4-1 MIAA) at the Claremore Expo Center on Wednesday night. This marks the highest-ever ranked win for the men's basketball program in the NCAA Division II Era.
 
The Hillcats led by eight points at halftime and maintained their advantage through the second half. They dominated the paint, scoring 40 points and recording 10 steals, contributing to the win. The Lions struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 2 of 16 attempts.
 
"I'm happy for our team. That was a team victory," commented head coach Justin Barkley, who claimed his 299^th career win. "We wanted to be better today on the boards, and we were. We wanted to limit turnovers and did a much better job with that. We wanted to make plays for others, and we did that with 18 assists, and you know, I'm happy for our team."
 
"Now we've got to move on to the next game. That's a big game Saturday, and then I'll say the same thing next week," Barkley added. "Hopefully, the schedule that we played early on will help us here down the stretch, and we'll see what we're made of."
 
The first half began with the Hillcats establishing early momentum through a combination of strong defensive plays and quick transitions. Jabryn Anderson spearheaded the effort with a steal and subsequent layup at 17:40, followed by a three-pointer just moments later, giving RSU a slight edge. Consistent defensive stops, including six steals, allowed RSU to maintain control and capitalize on fast breaks.
 
Andrew Mason contributed significantly by securing offensive rebounds and converting free throws, helping to extend the lead. RSU effectively shared the ball, registering 11 assists, which kept the offensive flow steady. The half closed with the Hillcats holding a 38-30 lead, underscoring their efficient scoring and defensive pressure.
 
RSU began the second half by building on its momentum with effective plays in the paint. Tim Jordan Jr. and Mason contributed key layups, extending the lead early. The team capitalized on fast breaks and maintained a strong defensive presence on the boards.
 
Throughout the half, the Hillcats effectively countered the Lions' attempts to close the gap, answering with consistent scoring and key defensive stops. Notably, Stephon Thomas added crucial points late, including a pair of free throws and a tip-in, to sustain the lead.
 
RSU closed the half maintaining its advantage, resulting in a 12-point victory over the undefeated Lions.
 
Anderson led the charge with 19 points and recorded 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season to go along with his historic triple-double against Texas A&M-Kingsville. Mason played lights out, scoring 21 points, including a monster alley oop dunk late, and adding three rebounds. Thomas finished a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, totaling a season-high 15 points off the bench. Damondre McKnight contributed six assists and two steals in the game.
 
For the Lions, Jack Hoth led the team with 11 points, shooting 5 of 7 from the field and added two blocks. Kanaan Holder contributed 10 points, converting all four free throws and also recorded two blocks. Christian Moore was pivotal with six assists and two steals, despite a challenging shooting night. Jarren McAllister secured seven rebounds and matched his teammates with two blocks, providing a strong presence on the defensive end.
 
Rogers State men's basketball will host rival Northeastern State at the Claremore Expo Center on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Barkley aims for career win 300 against his alma mater.