RSU Athletics
Tim Hanson, Sports Information Director
CLAREMORE – The Rogers State men’s basketball team shot 65.6 percent in the first half en route to a 100-85 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma on Tuesday for head coach Justin Barkley’s 100th career win at the Claremore Expo Center.
The Hillcats (3-2) finished at 58.9 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from the three-point line as they scored 100 points for the first time since Nov. 18, 2017 in a 100-45 victory over Central Christian.
RSU pulled out to a 55-39 advantage at halftime after going 21-of-32 shooting from the floor for 65.6 percent. In the first half the navy and red hit 8-of-13 3-poiners and led by as many as 17 points in the first half.
With a slight 14-11 lead at the 14:51 mark, the Cats quickly pushed the margin to double digits with a layup by Brewster Peacock and two consecutive triples from Chase Littlejohn and Peacock for a 22-11 score with 12:53 remaining before halftime.
Late in the half, RSU extended the advantage to 17 points on a 3-pointer from Tate Turner for a 47-30 margin with 2:35 left before halftime. The Cats held a 55-39 edge at the halftime break.
In the second half, the Hillcats quickly upped the advantage to their largest lead of the game at 22 points on a 3-pointer from Tavian Davis two minutes into the period. The Bulldogs cut the deficit to seven twice, but RSU controlled the second half in the 100-85 victory.
Four Hillcats posted double figures in scoring. Peacock totaled a team-high 18 points. Saint Hilare tallied a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. Davis (13) and Turner (12) also hit double digits in scoring.
Tre Evans of SWOSU poured in 28 points, and Jamar Sandifer added 22 points.
The victory was the 100th home win for head coach Justin Barkley. He moved to 100-20 overall at the Claremore Expo Center in his nine seasons as the head coach.
The Hillcats travel to Puerto Rico for two games during the weekend. The trip starts on Friday with a game against Puerto Rico-Bayamon at 5 p.m. CST. RSU ends the weekend on Saturday with a contest against Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras at 3 p.m. CST. Live video will be available for both games.