CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State men's basketball (2-2, 1-0 MIAA) rolled to a 79-68 win over Nebraska Kearney thanks to a strong second half performance on Thursday.
 
Four Hillcats finished in double digits on the night. Rodney Battle led RSU with a season-high 21 points with three assists. Anthony Marshall Jr. added 14 points along with a team-high six assists, two rebounds and two steals. Kofi Hamilton finished with his first double-double of the season putting up 13 points and 11 rebounds with an assist. Sam Davidson contributed 11 points with three steals and a rebound.
 
The first half was a hard fought, back-and-forth affair that saw four lead changes and four ties. After winning the tip, the Lopers opened the game on 5-2 run before RSU counterpunched with a 9-0 run of their own to go up 11-5 just four minutes in. The two sides traded points for the next several minutes, but the Hillcats managed to hold on to lead until UNK tied it at 20-20 with just over 11 and half minutes left in the period. From there, things grew even tighter with neither side able to gain more than a five-point lead. Eventually, the Lopers came out on top with a slim 37-35 advantage going into the break.
 
The second half was all Hillcats as they came out of the locker room and ripped off a 9-0 run to start the period and retake the lead 44-37. UNK did their best to battle back and tie it at 46-46, but a 19-6 run gave RSU its largest lead of the game at 65-52 with just over eight minutes left. The Lopers tried to mount another comeback down the stretch, but RSU refused to allow them within three possessions of the lead and eventually took the 79-68 victory.
 
The Hillcats will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 2 as they face a stout test with Fort Hays State coming to town. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m.