LAREDO, Texas – Five Hillcats finished in double figures as Rogers State Men's Basketball defeated Texas A&M International 88-80 in a pivotal Heartland Conference battle Saturday afternoon.
 
The Hillcats (15-6, 4-3 Heartland) dominated in the opening 20 minutes, going ahead by as much as 20 before taking a 51-33 lead into the break over the Dustdevils (5-13, 2-5).
 
The hosts made a charge in the second half, cutting the deficit to as little as seven, but the Hillcats sank 9-of-10 free throws over the final three minutes to hold on for the victory.
 
Brewster Peacock led the scoring for the Hillcats with 20 points, going 7-for-11 from the field with a pair of threes and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Peacock also had five rebounds and a steal.
 
Tate Turner, coming off a career high performance of 23 points last time out, followed up with a 19-point performance against the Dustdevils. Turner was crucial down the stretch, going 10-for-11 from the free-throw line. Turner also had four assists and a pair of blocks.
 
Starters Saint Hilaire and Josh Joiner were both in double figures as well, scoring 12 points each. Hilaire led the Hillcats with six rebounds. Joiner had three rebounds in 12 minutes of action.
 
Jordan Johnson led the Hillcats off the bench, finishing with 16 points and five rebounds.
 
Rogers State shot 65 percent from the field in the first half and finished with 57 percent shooting for the game. The Hillcats were also 81 percent from the free-throw line.
 
Texas A&M International led the Hillcats in rebounds 29-25. The Dustdevils shot 51 percent in the game, but was just 50 percent from the free-throw line, going 18-for-36.
 
Rogers State wraps up a three-game road swing with a trip east to Arkansas to take on the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Wednesday evening. The Hillcats and Lions will tip off at 7:30 p.m. at the Stubblefield Center.