CLAREMORE, Okla. (Feb. 4, 2023) – Rogers State took the lead 26 seconds into the second half and never let it go, holding off depleted Northeastern State 78-67 on Saturday afternoon at the Claremore Expo Center.

Due to injuries, NSU (10-10, 7-9 MIAA) played only seven players against in-state rival Rogers State (12-10, 8-8). Saturday was the third straight basketball game (all losses) in which the RiverHawks had eight players or fewer available. Two players, Tylor Arnold and Dillon Bailey, played all 40 minutes for NSU, with Obi Agu logging 39 minutes and Tristan Green 36.

Arnold led NSU with 26 points and made 4 of 7 3-point attempts. His 3-pointer with 26 seconds left in the first half gave the RiverHawks their final lead at 40-37, but Chris Whitaker answered for the Hillcats with a 3-pointer in the final seconds of the half to tie the game.

Isaac Johnson opened the second half with a 3-pointer for the Hillcats. Arnold hit two free throws with 17:27 to pull NSU within 45-44, but a 9-2 spurt by the Hillcats gave them some distance. The RiverHawks came no closer than six points over the final 13:41.

Bailey scored 14 points for Northeastern State, the 11th time in the last 12 games he's scored in double figures, while Green had 15 points and six assists. NSU shot 50 percent (22 of 44) from the field.

Whitaker led the Hillcats with 25 points and Isaac Johnson scored 15. With the win, Rogers State split its regular-season series against NSU. The Hillcats also ended a four-game losing streak against the RiverHawks. Former NSU players Ja Havens (NSU) and Justin Barkley (Rogers State) are the teams' coaches.

NSU will return home to face Missouri Western on Thursday and Northwest Missouri State next Saturday.