Alva Review-Courier -

TRUJILLO ALTO, Puerto Rico – The Rogers State men's basketball team shot 68 percent in the second half to pull away for a 81-69 win over Sacred Heart (P.R.) in the first game of the Hillcats' two-game Puerto Rico trip on Friday night.

The Hillcats (4-2) made 17-of-25 shots in the second half and scored 51 points to cruise to the victory. RSU shot a perfect 4 for 4 from 3 in the second half.

After holding a slight 29-28 edge at halftime, RSU opened the second half with a 15-3 run in less than four minutes to take a 13-point lead at 44-31 with 16:07 remaining. Saint Hilaire tallied six points during the spurt, and Tate Turned added five points, including a jumper to cap the run at 44-31.

Brewster Peacock gave the Hillcats their largest lead of the game at 62-44 on a 3-pointer with 8:42 left. The navy and red led by double figures for the rest of the contest in the 81-69 victory.

Hilaire scored a team-high 15 points, including 12 points in the second half on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting from the field. Bryan Battle added 11 points with all 11 points in the second half. Tavian Davis went for 12 points, and Latrell Tidwell posted 10 points.

For the game, RSU shot 48.1 percent (26-54) from the field. The Cats finished at 37.5 percent (6-16) from 3.

Sacred Heart's Chris Colon registered a game-high 18 points. Rychell Janga totaled a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. USC shot 41.5 percent (22-53) from the field.

The Hillcats end their Puerto Rico trip tomorrow with a game against Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras at 5 p.m. (AST)/3 p.m. (CST). Video streaming will be available.