Box Score CLAREMORE, Okla. (Feb. 18, 2016) – As good as Oklahoma Christian played in the first half at Rogers State on Thursday night – and make no mistake, the Eagles were absolutely sensational – Rogers State played even better in the second half.

The Hillcats shot a sizzling 66.7 percent from the field after halftime – hitting 18 of 27 shots – and won 84-74 at the Claremore Expo Center, denying the Eagles what would have been a memorable upset.

OC (6-19, 3-14 Heartland Conference) sprinted to a 10-0 lead, extended that margin to 20 points and led 47-31 at halftime after shooting 61.5 percent (16 of 26) from the field. The Eagles played well enough in the second half – shooting 43.5 percent – to beat most opponents, but Rogers State (20-5, 12-5) wouldn't be denied.

"I know they're provisional, but they're a team – I'm not so sure they're not the best team in the league," OC coach Dan Hays said of the Hillcats. "We played really well. The second half, we missed a dunk, we missed a layup and they hit two threes. That's a 10-point swing within two or three minutes.

"We're playing our best basketball. We really are. There's not a doubt in my mind. If it doesn't end up with wins, we're still going to feel like that we've done something. I'm proud of these guys and hopefully we'll just continue to play a little bit better."

Jordan Rutherford poured in 21 points, 18 of those in the first half, and went 5-of-8 from 3-point range. Junior center John Moon flirted with a triple-double, eventually finishing with 18 points, 10 rebounds, a career-high seven assists, two steals and two blocked shots. He extended his streak of games in which he's recorded at least one block to 50.

Daniel Eibel and Elijah Strickland reach scored 11 points for OC. But Rogers State trumped all that with its sensational backcourt of J.C. Hartzler and Donald Moore, who scored 27 and 23 points, respectively, and went a combined 8-of-20 from 3-point range.

The Hillcats also outrebounded OC 35-20 in a game that didn't feature many rebounds, as Rogers State shot 53.1 percent for the game while the Eagles shot 53.1 percent.

"I knew they were going to come out (after halftime) and turn the heat up," Hays said. "I knew they were going to drive the ball, which they did. But we played really good basketball. We turned the ball over at a real low rate and shot extremely well. I'm not sure how you can have those numbers and get beat by 10."

Rogers State coach Justin Barkley burned through three timeouts in the first half in a vain attempt to stop OC's momentum. Three straight 3-pointers – one by Eibel, two by Rutherford – gave the Eagles a 47-27 lead with 1:25 left in the first half.

But the Hillcats came roaring out of the locker room and pulled even at 55-55 on a layup by Moore with 14:19 left. Rogers State took its first lead at 66-63 on a three-point play by Jordan Huffman with 7:05 left, although OC answered with four straight points, with Moon putting OC back up 67-66 with two free throws with 6:04 left.

Consecutive 3-pointers by Moore and Hartzler gave Rogers State a five-point lead and while the Eagles stayed close, it remained a two-possession (or more) game the rest of the way.

Before the game, Hays was recognized by the Rogers State public address announcer in honor of his 33-year career at OC. Hays has announced that he's leaving OC at the end of the season.

"That was nothing but class," Hays said. "I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I've never won a game in this gym. I have a little bit of regret for that."

OC will play its final road game of the season on Saturday at Arkansas-Fort Smith at 3 p.m.

OC coach Dan Hays on the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxGCAraCXyY&feature=youtu.be