Box Score
CLAREMORE, Okla. — In a high-intensity game against the Rogers State Hillcats, the Rattlers suffered another conference loss, 62-58, leaving them with a 15-5 overall record and an 8-4 Heartland Conference record.
Trailing by two with 30 seconds remaining, the Rattlers misfired on a pair of shots that could have could the game or resulted in them taking the lead. Rogers State connected on a pair of free throws with just over six seconds left to effectively put the game out of reach at 62-58.
Marvin Whitt (Jr., Birmingham, Ala.), who shot five of the six Rattler 3-pointers, led the squad with 15 points.
Joe Monroe (R-Jr., San Antonio) and
Marvin Binney (Jr., Toronto, Ontario) contributed nine points apiece.
The Rattlers dominated the boards in their usual fashion, out-rebounding the Hillcats 47-32.
JJ Bolton (Jr., Beaumont, Miss.) pulled down nine boards, followed by
Isaiah Matthews (R-Jr., Texas City, Texas) with eight and
Justin Alexander (Jr., San Antonio) with six.
The game puts the Rattlers in third place in the conference standings, one game behind Arkansas-Fort Smith.
During the first half, the Rattlers jumped out to a quick five-point lead, which the Hillcats quickly cut down by going on a 10-point run.
The Rattlers had a difficult time warming up in the half, as they shot 10 of 38 from the floor and connected on only 4-of-11 free throws.
The Hillcats continued on their run throughout the first half, racking up their lead to as many as 14 points.
But with two clutch 3-pointers from Whitt and two turnovers from Rogers State, the Rattlers were able to rally back late in the first half and go to halftime only trailing by five, 32-27.
After coming back from the break, the Rattlers and Hillcats continued to battle, keeping the game close throughout the duration of the second half.
The Rattlers tied the game three times in the half and stayed within close range of the Hillcats, but did not see the lead again.
The Hillcats were able to optimize being sent to the line, shooting 18 of 23 on the night, and were able to hold the Rattlers to only 26 points in the paint.
The Rattlers will continue their travels to take on conference rival UA Fort Smith this Saturday at 3 p.m. in Fort Smith, Ark.
