CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State men's basketball picked up a crucial victory over Central Missouri on Thursday at the Claremore Expo Center, defeating the Mules 74-63 in MIAA play.
 
How it Happened: The Hillcats were able to get hot in the first half after the Mules jumped out to an early lead from a three pointer. Senior Marques Sumner would spark the Hillcats as he hit the three to tie the game and get the team going.
 
Later in the half the Hillcats would go on an 8-0 to give them a double-digit lead, 35-25, going into halftime. The Hillcats also shot 50 percent from the field in the first half, while the Mules shot just 34 percent.
 
In the second half the Hillcats would continue to dominate the game, eventually building a lead as big as 18 points.
 
However, the Mules would mount a charge and eventually cut the lead down to seven points with about six minutes left in the game.
 
This charge would not deter the Hillcats, as they would respond by quickly putting the Mules back in a double-digit deficit, which the Hillcats held for the rest of the game.
 
Key Statistics: The Hillcats outscored the Mules 22-12 in fast break points for the game.
 
The Hillcats also shot 45 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range in the game, while Central Missouri finished with 39 percent shooting and 37 percent shooting from long range.
 
Players of Note: Sumner led the Hillcats in points with 21 in the game. Sumner would also tally three rebounds and two assists.
 
Freshman Jett Sternberger would be the only other Hillcat in double figures with 15 points. Sternberger would also be perfect from the free-throw line, making all seven attempts in the game.
 
Junior Darraja Parnell would lead the team in rebounds with six in the game. Parnell would also have eight points.
 
Senior Tavian Davis would lead the team in assists with six. Davis would also have three rebounds and four points.
 
Notes: This is the seventh time this season that Sumner has led the Hillcats in scoring.
 
With this win, head coach Justin Barkley is two wins from the 200-career win milestone.
 
The Hillcats have had three different win streaks of at least four games this season.
 
All eight Hillcats who played in the game scored at least four points and grabbed two rebounds. Seven of the eight Hillcats to play also recorded at least one assist.
 
What it Means: The Hillcats extend their winning streak to four games and now sit in third place in the MIAA standings with the victory representing the mid-point for the conference season.
 
Up Next: Rogers State welcomes in Lincoln University to the Claremore Expo Center on Saturday to wrap up a two-game stint at home in MIAA play. The Hillcats will tip off with the Blue Tigers for the first time on the hardwood at 4:00 p.m.