THE LEAD
In a showdown between the top two teams in the Heartland Conference, DBU fell 102-86 to Rogers State on Saturday in Claremore, Oklahoma.  On a day in which the Hillcats (18-7, 11-4) shot 68 percent from the field, the Patriots (15-9, 9-5) could not hold off a hot shooting Rogers State team, as DBU lost for the second straight time.  With the loss, the Patriots fall into third place and are now a game-and-a-half behind Rogers State for the top spot in the Heartland.
 
DBU was led by Patrick Burke, who scored a team-high 25 points and was joined in double-figures by Myles Johnson (18), Amari Bryant (15), and Boy Van Vliet (11).  The Hillcats' Jeylyn Sharpe led all scorers with a career-high 30 points, while JD Tisdale added 22 of his own.
 
After DBU jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the game's first four minutes, Rogers State responded with a 10-2 run, capped off by a Travis Hester three-pointer, and never looked back, eventually taking a 46-34 advantage into the half.  In the second half, DBU was never able to pull within 10 points, as Rogers State extended their lead to as many as 20 points with 4:52 left on the clock.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- It marks the first time DBU has lost back-to-back games since the Patriots suffered losses to Texas-Permian Basin and Lubbock Christian on December 10 and 17.
- Rogers State's 102 points are the most surrendered by DBU this season and is the first time the Patriots have allowed more than 100 points since February 25, 2016 in a 114-109 loss to UA Fort Smith.
- DBU prepares to return home for a four-game homestand to close out the 2016-2017 regular-season.
 
DBU HEAD COACH BLAKE FLICKNER ON ROGERS STATE'S PERFORMANCE TODAY
"Rogers State played like a team that was trying to be a champion and get into sole possession of first place today.  They were amazing and we get out played in every facet of the game." 
 
DBU HEAD COACH BLAKE FLICKNER ON BOUNCING BACK AFTER A TOUGH LOSS
"It's going to be important for us to get back to our defensive principles.  As we return home for our last four games, we'll have to learn from this experience and try to improve.  Every adversity is a chance to grow our character as a team, and this is no different."
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
80 – Rogers State shot an astonishing 80 percent from the field in the second half, connecting on 20-of-25 shots.
7 – Both teams connected on seven shots from three-point range.
29 – DBU's bench scored 29 of the team's 86 points.
 
UP NEXT
DBU returns to the Burg Center on Thursday night to face Oklahoma Panhandle State.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.