Box Score CLAREMORE, Okla. (Jan. 16, 2017) – With two of its top three scorers sidelined, Oklahoma Christian knew offense could be at a premium against Rogers State on Monday night. Even so, the Eagles found a way to make a game of it.

But Rogers State shot 54 percent from the field and held on for a 75-62 win over OC at the Claremore Expo Center at the beginning of what figures to be a busy week for the Eagles.

Sophomore guard Jordan Box and junior guard Marcus Mathieu each scored 15 points and senior center John Moon added 14 for OC (6-9, 1-6 Heartland Conference), which was without Keilan Horton and Elijah Strickland due to injury.

"The guys did a good job tonight," OC men's basketball coach Cory Cole said. "It was just a fight. It was a 40-minute game. Hats off to Rogers. They've got a great backcourt and a couple of bigs who made some big-time plays, but our guys fought. Every guy who played tonight contributed, which is what we need to have happen."

Defending Heartland champion Rogers State (12-6, 5-3) had four players score in double figures and outrebounded the Eagles 37-27, helping provide the Hillcats with an edge that helped to ensure OC played from behind.

It was a single-digit lead for the Hillcats until late in the first half, but OC closed the game to 30-22 by halftime. A 3-pointer by Dorian Lopez and a 2-pointer by Mathieu pulled the Eagles within 30-27 just 75 seconds into the second half and they trailed only 50-44 with 9:23 left after a basket by Box.

Jeylyn Sharpe and Jordan Huffman then hit consecutive 3-pointers for Rogers State, though, to build the Hillcats' lead to 12 points. Twice, the Hillcats pushed the margin to 15 points, although the Eagles twice pulled within eight points in the final 2:10.

"I think we're close," Cole said. "After maybe a week or so, we have to find new words. If we're not finishing in these next two or three games, then what has this process been for? We're just a few plays away from getting Ws and that's what we've got to do – stay connected from start to finish.

"I love the way our guys are fighting in practice. I love the way it's coming over into games. But at some point, we've got to get a win, and that's what we're looking to do on Thursday – bounce back and pick up our first home-court win."

Sharpe led Rogers State with 20 points, while J.D. Tisdale had 16, Baron Smith Jr. had 13 and Johnathon Buckley had 11.

Moon increased his career scoring total to 1,660 points and moved up a spot to No. 13 on OC's career scoring list, passing Dwayne Williams (1,652 points from 1977-80).

OC has two more conference games this week, hosting Dallas Baptist (Texas) on Thursday and Lubbock Christian (Texas) on Saturday.

Cory Cole discusses the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtyjum4dwG4&feature=youtu.be