CLAREMORE, Okla. (Feb. 9, 2019) – Oklahoma Christian seemed to have the momentum after rallying from an early seven-point deficit to take a halftime lead, but Rogers State was having none of it.

The Hillcats controlled the second half from start to finish, making 19 of 21 free throws in the final 20 minutes and pulling away for an 87-71 win over OC on Saturday afternoon at the Claremore Expo Center.

Rogers State (16-8, 5-5 Heartland Conference) hasn't lost to OC at home since the 2009-10 season. OC (8-13, 3-7) didn't lose ground in what looks like a four-team race for three spots in the Heartland's postseason tournament – OC leads that group of four – but the Eagles didn't capitalize on the momentum generated by a stunning 84-80 upset of No. 2-ranked St. Edward's (Texas)  on Thursday.

"We were flat today," OC coach Cory Cole said. "We have got to be able to handle success and build on it. We will learn and respond from this point forward. We will get back at it with a good week of practice before we head for a defining road trip next week. It's a challenge that we will need to be focused on and meet.

"Give Rogers State credit. They are tough to beat at home. We struggled to guard for full possessions and they took full advantage. They beat us to some second-chance points by getting offensive rebounds."

OC usually is a strong rebounding team, but with NCAA Division II's rebounding leader, Will Lienhard, saddled with foul trouble and limited to 21 minutes, the Eagles lost the battle of the boards by a 39-30 count.

The Eagles trailed 16-7 after a layup by Rogers State's Josh Joiner at the 10:47 mark of the first half, but a 15-6 run pulled OC even at 22-22, with a layup by Jordan Box tying the game four minutes later. A 3-pointer by Braden Eggleston in the final minute of the half again tied the game at 31-31 and Aubrey Johnson hit another 3-pointer with 15 seconds left, giving the Eagles a 34-33 halftime lead.

But Tavian Davis hit a jumper in the first minute of the second half and Rogers State never trailed again. A jumper by Tate Turner, who led the Hillcats with 24 points, gave them a 53-42 lead with 10:48 left and their lead stayed in double digits the rest of the way.

Brian Carey led OC with 16 points while Box added 12 and Johnson had 10. Lienhard had six points, six rebounds and three blocked shots. Latrell Tidwell scored 17 points for Rogers State and Tavian Davis added 13.

As Cole noted, the Eagles will be on the road in south Texas next week for a pair of crucial games against rivals also in the aforementioned group of four teams – at Texas A&M International on Thursday and at St. Mary's (Texas) on Saturday.