The Rogers State men’s basketball team defeated Fort Hays State University 68-58 on Saturday at the Claremore Expo Center.
The Hillcats were able to take the control of the game mid-way through the second half to defeat the Tigers and snap a three-game losing skid.
Rogers State started slowly as they quickly fell behind the Tigers in the opening minutes of the game. However, mid-way through the half the Hillcats would battle back to take the lead. And the two teams would fight back and forth until the end of the half, with the Tigers leading by a score of 38-34.
The start of the second half would be similar as the Hillcats would once again get off to a slow start following behind by seven points in the first four minutes of the half.
However, the Hillcats would respond with an 8-0 run to take the lead. After the visitors, responded with a three to retake the lead 49-48, the Hillcats used a 6-0 run to take a lead they never relinquished.
The Hillcats would eventually build up a lead to as big as 12 points to seal the win.
Marques Sumner led the Hillcats in points with 18. The senior would also have three rebounds and four assists.
Brewster Peacock would be the only other Hillcat in double-figures, finishing with 15 points. The junior from Verdigris would also tally three rebounds and a steal.
Tavian Davis would lead the Hillcats in rebounds and assists for the game. The senior would finish with four rebounds and seven assists. The Muskogee native would also have five points.
The Hillcats would shoot 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point for the game. Fort Hays, who shot 67 percent in the first half, finished the game shooting 51 percent. They also shot 32 percent from three-point range.
With the win, the Hillcats avoid losing four-straight games. Rogers State men’s basketball has never lost four-straight games in program history.
Rogers State will head back on the road as the Hillcats travel to Wichita, Kansas for the first of two games away from the Expo. The Hillcats will face Newman on Wednesday, January 15, looking to complete a season sweep of the Jets after a 77-68 victory over Newman at home in December.
