SAINT PAUL, Minn. – After an incredibly close game, Rogers State men's basketball (2-0) knocked off Concordia-St. Paul (1-1) in the finale of the MIAA/NSIC Challenge on Saturday.

Two Hillcats finished in double figures for the game. Devin Pullum once again led the Hillcats with 20 points with three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Joey Saracco posted 16 points in addition to a team-high eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Both Tylan Dean and Brewster Peacock contributed eight points, with Dean adding five rebounds, four steals, three assists and a block and Peacock adding four rebounds.

The Golden Bears jumped out to an early advantage with a 12-4 run to take the largest lead by either team during the game. However, RSU quickly flipped the script with their own 12-3 run to take the lead 16-15 with 11:36 left in the half. From there, both teams traded points back and forth for the remainder of the period with neither getting more than five points ahead of the other. The score stood deadlocked at 32-32 going into the break.

After the intermission, things continued to be tightly contested down the stretch. The second half saw nine lead changes and seven ties between the two teams. The Hillcats would get a little breathing room as they took a 56-52 lead, their largest of the game, with 7:31 left. CSP brought the game close again as they tied it back up at 56-56. With 44 seconds left, Devin Pullum drained a jumper in the paint to give the Hillcats the 64-63 lead, and 27 second later made a pair of free throws to seal the victory 66-63.

RSU will be back in action Thursday, Nov. 18 as they return to the Claremore Expo Center for the home opener against Randall. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m.