CLAREMORE, Okla. - Missouri Western men's basketball (15-8, 6-6 MIAA) absorbed a 21-4 run by Rogers State to end the first half, and got down 46-26 at the break.

The Griffons got to within 12 late, but never closer in a 74-54 loss to the Hillcats at the Claremore Expo Center.

Rogers State (17-8, 8-5 MIAA) shot lights out the first half, making 18-of-29 from the field and 8-of-13 from three. The Griffons got to within 51-38 with 12:15 to go, and then a 9-0 run made it a 66-54 contest with 2:24 remaining, but RSU ended the game on an 8-0 run, getting to the free throw line several times late.

Justin Bubak led MWSU with 12 points to go with six rebounds and three steals. Julius Dixon and Kidtrell Blocker each had 9. MWSU shot 40% from the field (18-of-45) and 5-of-21 from three (23.8%). The Griffs also hit 13-of-18 (72.2%) from the free throw line. Rogers hit 12-of-24 from three on the night and 26-of-49 (53.1%) from the field overall, and the Hillcats have now taken five of the last six from the Griffons in the series.

Missouri Western heads to Edmond, OK Saturday to face Central Oklahoma (13-9, 7-6 MIAA). Tip-off from the Hamilton Fieldhouse is set for 3:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the Griffon Sports Network (Varsity Network App, GoGriffons.com/listen).

UCO dominated Northwest Thursday, 82-55.