Claremore, Okla. - The Missouri Southern Men's Basketball team traveled to Claremore, Okla. take on the Rogers State University Hillcats in their conference opener Wednesday night. Both teams remained close in scoring with Rogers State leading the way with 38-points and Missouri Southern with 34-points in the first half. Rogers State would outscore Missouri Southern to come away with a 92-73 victory in the second 20 minutes of action.
Missouri Southern (4-5, 0-1 MIAA) | Rogers State (8-2,1-0 MIAA)
Half 1: Missouri Southern 34 | Rogers State 38
The game opened with the Lions'
Tyrique Brooks and
Martin Macenis capitalizing from the free-throw line. The Hillcats answered quickly with a 6-0 run to claim an early three-point lead. Their momentum was halted by a timely bucket from
Jaden Taylor. Both teams traded baskets in the tightly contested matchup, staying neck-and-neck through much of the first half. At the eight-minute mark,
Justin Duff drilled a three-pointer to tie the game at 23-23. Rogers State responded with another 6-0 surge.
Brooks energized the Lions with a powerful dunk at the 5:02 minute mark, sparking a personal 5-0 scoring run. Moments later, Macenis struck again, tying the score at 30-30. In the closing moments of the half, a Lions' foul sent the Hillcats to the free-throw line, allowing them to head into the break with a 38-34 lead.
Half 2: Missouri Southern 73 | Rogers State 92
Rogers State came out firing to start the second half, opening with a quick 5-0 run that set the tone.
Martin Macenis halted their momentum with a layup and a trip to the free-throw line, cutting the deficit to 43-37. Both teams exchanged baskets through the midway point of the half, with Rogers State maintaining a 55-44 advantage.
Justin Duff and Macenis combined for five points to close the Lion's deficit, but Rogers State answered with a 13-0 run to push the score to 68-49.
Tyriqe Jackson ended the drought with a smooth turnaround jumper, followed by a three-pointer that brought the score to 71-54. Despite late three-pointers from
Tyrique Brooks and
Jaden Taylor the Lions could not close their gap, with the Hillcats taking the 92-73 victory.
Missouri Southern Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Tyriqe Jackson – 19
Rebounding Leader: Tyriqe Jackson /
Martin Macenis – 7
Assist Leader: Jaden Taylor /
Martin Macenis – 3
Steal Leader: Jaden Taylor /
Martin Macenis /
Isaiah Atwaters – 1
Rogers State Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Caden Fry - 24
Rebounding Leader: Caden Fry - 10
Assist Leader: Jabryn Anderson / Anthony Marshall Jr. – 6
Steal Leader: Caden Fry / Andrew Mason - 2
Up Next:
The Lions will be on the road next on Sunday, December 8 in Edmond, Okla to take on the University of Central Oklahoma. Tip-off is set for 3:30 pm.
-Lions-
