CLAREMORE, Okla. (Jan. 27, 2011) – The Oklahoma Christian men's basketball team fell to Rogers State University (Okla.) 85-75 after being outscored in the second half of the game in Thursday night's road match.
Despite a 27-point double-double performance from the Eagles' Will Reinke, OC still came up short after being outscored during the second period.
The Eagles took the lead first with a basket from Reinke as a close game ensued from there after. Until 6:40 remained in the half, neither team led by more than three points and there were six ties up to that point.
Rogers State led the majority of that time; however, the Eagles took their fair share of time ahead as well after taking the lead on four separate occasions, out of the nine total lead changes.
After the sixth tie at 18-18, the Hillcats put up seven unanswered points to take the largest lead of the game at seven points. Despite such, with 3:04 left till the half, the Eagles put up an 8-1 run to regain the lead at 32-31 with under a minute to play.
A last second basket from the Hillcats, however, left RSU with a one-point advantage heading into halftime.
Despite tying things up a minute into the second half, the Eagles never again led before the end of regulation.
During the first five minutes of the period, however, the Eagles tied things up five times with the final tie coming at 42-42 with 15:02 left on the clock.
Following the tie, the Hillcats advanced to an eight-point lead with 10:24 to play, after outscoring the Eagles 13-5. Minutes later, the RSU men pushed the lead to 10 points and with 3:19 left in regulation, the Hillcats managed their largest lead of the game at 15 points with the scoreboard showing 76-61.
The Eagles responded in an effort to make up the difference, but their six unanswered points still left them nine points away from the Hillcats.
During the final two minutes, OC fouls abounded as the Eagles tried to put forth a closing effort for the win, but never came within eight points as the Hillcats held their ground.
The Hillcats carried a 10-point margin into the game's close to earn the 85-75 win.
Reinke's 27 points and 10 rebounds led the game including both teams, while guard Kendre Talley managed an additional 17 points for the game along with four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Devan White added another eight points and five rebounds to the Eagles' total, while fellow starting guard, Jeff Crocker, tallied seven points and four assists.
The loss drops the Eagles to 13-7 overall for the season and to 7-6 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The OC men will join the women as they return home to host John Brown University (Ark.) on Saturday for their next matchup. The women's tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the men to follow at 8 p.m.
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