Rogers State men’s basketball (7-3, 3-1 MIAA) overcame a 17-point halftime deficit to topple Washburn (3-6, 0-3 MIAA) in a thrilling 88-81 victory in the final home game of 2022 on Saturday.
Four Hillcats finished in double figures on the afternoon. Joey Saracco led RSU with 22 points and a game-high six rebounds in addition to two blocks, two steals and an assist. Chris Whitaker put up 18 points and a game-high six rebounds with three assists and a steal. Gerren Jackson dropped a season-high 17 points and was 3-for-5 from downtown to go with a game-high and season-high four steals. Ugo Obineke contributed 11 points off the bench with three rebounds. Sherwyn Devonish-Prince Jr. dished out a team-high six assists to go with eight points, three rebounds and a steal.
The game started slow as it took two minutes before either team got a shot to fall, but the Ichadbods broke the ice with a layup and a free throw to take an early 3-0 lead. The Hillcats responded with a 4-0 run to take their first lead at 4-3. However, WU began to feel it as they rattled off a 13-3 run to jump back out to a 16-7 lead. They continued their hot shooting as RSU could not find an answer on defense. The Ichabods took their first double-digit lead at 24-13 with 11:32 left in the half. After RSU had cut the deficit to 42-33, WU closed out the final four minutes before the break on a 12-4 run to carry a 54-37 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, the Hillcats immediately went to work whittling the lead down to 54-42 as they started the period on a 5-0 run. However, every time RSU started to build some momentum, the Ichabods would have an answer to stall the comeback. The Hillcats finally began to see some success midway through the period as they pulled off a 10-1 run to trim the margin to 65-58. But once again, WU pushed the lead back out to double digits. RSU finally broke through with a 15-4 run to tie things at 77-77 and used an 11-4 run down the stretch to complete the comeback and seal the 88-81 victory.
In the final 20 minutes, the Hillcats managed to hold Washburn to just 27.27 percent (6-for-22) from the field while shooting 64 percent (16-for-25) themselves. RSU also outscored the Ichabods 26-15 in points off turnovers in the game.
RSU will try to keep the momentum rolling as they travel to Tahlequah, Okla. on Saturday, Dec. 17 to take on rival Northeastern State in the final game before the Christmas Break. Tip off is set for 3:30 p.m.
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