TULSA, Okla. - Rogers State turned in a tremendous second half effort but couldn't overcome a red hot start by Oral Roberts as the Hillcats fell 88-76 at the Mabee Center Saturday night.
 

The exhibition contest was the first ever game for the RSU basketball program and the Hillcats stood tall against an experienced Division I foe. The Golden Eagles shot a scorching 68-percent from the field in the first half and took a 50-32 advantage into the locker room. RSU chipped away at the lead in the second half and its confidence grew stronger with every made basket.
 

The Hillcats went on a 14-3 run and cut the lead to eight, 79-71 on a bucket by Roderick Rodgers with 4:30 remaining in the game. RSU forced a turnover and had an opportunity to cut into the lead even further, but Abram Donlon couldn't convert on a jumper from the baseline. Moses Ehambe answered with a back breaking three pointer on the other end and the Hillcats would draw no closer the rest of the way. ORU maintained its cool and managed the clock over the final three minutes to hold on for an 88-76 win.
 

"I'm really proud of our kids and the way they competed tonight," said Wren Baker, RSU head men's basketball coach. "I thought we played like a team that had a bunch of guys that had been sitting out for a year in the first half, but once we settled into the game we were ok."
 

The Golden Eagles come out on fire in the first half, hitting 19-of-28 two-point field goals and 4-of-7 three pointers. Moses Ehambe led the charge with 12 first half points, including 3-of-3 from behind the arc. ORU out-rebounded the Hillcats 20-to-7 in the first half but RSU senior Bryson Krueger kept his team within arm's length with nine points.
 

The Hillcats picked up their intensity on both ends of the floor in the second half. RSU forced the Golden Eagles into 21 total turnovers while committing just 15. Point guard Aldric Reynolds led the late charge by RSU with a steal and a layup with 7:05 to play. Reynolds added two free throws and a three pointer to complete a 7-0 run. In the end however, the early deficit was too tall of a hill for the Hillcats to climb.
 

"We knew it would be a tough test and it was," said ORU Head Coach Scott Sutton. "In the first half we were more aggressive and when you make shots you play better defense. But in the second half they were the better team."
 

RSU outscored the Golden Eagles 44-38 in the second half. Krueger led the Cats with 19 points followed by Reynolds with 14. Donlon and Eric Young chipped in with 10 apiece. Rodgers spurred the Hillcats on the glass with 10 rebounds.
 

RSU will play a second exhibition game when it opens the newly renovated Claremore Expo on Monday. The Hillcats will host Rhema Bible College at 8 p.m. The RSU women will play their first game at 6 p.m. Both games can be heard on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.