Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Men's Basketball team hosted the Hillcats of Rogers State University in a conference matchup. In a back-and-forth game with numerous lead changes in the second half, the Lions battled until the very end but fell as the Hillcats claimed a 75-73 victory.
 
Missouri Southern (9-8, 4-4 MIAA) | Rogers State (14-6, 5-3 MIAA)
 
Half 1: Missouri Southern 46 | Rogers State 36
The game started with three lead changes as the teams exchanged baskets, but the Hillcats managed to hold a 6-4 advantage through the first four minutes of play. Tyriqe Jackson (two free throws) and Tyrone Wright (jumper) pushed the Lions ahead by one point. The Hillcats responded with an 8-0 run, taking a 14-8 lead with 14:15 left on the clock. Southern heated up from beyond the arc, hitting three three-pointers—two from 45Jackson and one from Jaden Taylor—sparking a 13-5 run that put the Lions ahead 23-19 with 10:50 left in the half. Rogers State reclaimed the lead at 25-23 midway through the first half with a 6-0 run.
 
A three-pointer from Jemari Lawrence sparked another round of back-and-forth scoring, but the Lions seized control with an 11-5 run, taking a 34-30 lead with 4:47 remaining in the first half. Southern extended their lead with a 6-0 run, featuring a jumper from Taylor, a layup from Lawrence, and a hook shot from Martin Macenis, pushing the score to 40-32. The Lions maintained their momentum, carrying a 46-36 lead into the break.
 
Half 2: Missouri Southern 73 | Rogers State 75
After a series of traded baskets, Isaiah Atwater hit back-to-back three-pointers, pushing the Lions' lead to 54-43 with 15:43 left in the second half. The Hillcats found a groove with an 11-4 run to cut the Lions lead to 58-54 with 12:12 remaining in the game. Martin Macenis halted Rogers State's run with a timely three-pointer, and as the teams exchanged baskets, Southern gradually extended their lead to 65-60 midway through the second half.
 
Jaden Taylor ended a 6-0 run by the Hillcats with a clutch jumper, preserving a slim 67-66 lead for the Lions with 6:35 to go. After the teams traded four points each, Rogers State drained a three-pointer, but Macenis answered with a layup, tying the game at 73-73 with 2:30 remaining. The Hillcats took advantage with a late layup to reclaim the lead, and, edging out the Lions 75-73.
 
Missouri Southern Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Martin Macenis - 16
Rebounding Leader: Tyrone Wright - 10
Assist Leader: Isaiah Atwater - 4
Steal Leader: Tyriqe Jackson, Isaiah Atwater, Ibn Loyal - 2
 
Rogers State Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Sam Davidson - 23
Rebounding Leader: Andrew Mason, Angus Ole, Jabryn Anderson - 7
Assist Leader: Jabryn Anderson - 5
Steal Leader: Caden Fry - 1
 
Up Next:
Missouri Southern Men's Basketball will host the Pittsburg State University Gorillas on Saturday, January 25. Tip-off is set for 3:30 PM in Leggett and Platt Athletic Center.
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