ROGERS STATE 68, PARKSIDE 58
Brandon Trimble scored a team-high 15 off the bench, but Parkside struggled down the stretch in the loss to Rogers State, the opener of the Holiday Classic at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The Hillcats used a 15-0 run in the second half to pull away. Parkside will face the host Lions tomorrow at 5 p.m.
 
A WORD FROM REIGEL
"We are making too many mistakes to win consistently," head coach Luke Reigel said. "Until we get that figured out we will continue to struggle."
 
Reigel needs one more win to pass Steve Stephens for most all-time in Parkside men's basketball history with 231.
 
FIRST HALF
The first half was as back-and-forth as it goes, with neither team leading by more than five points during the half. The Rangers were playing from behind for most of the half, but battled back to tie it up 35-35 heading into the locker room. Parkside shot better than the Hillcats from the floor and beyond the arc in the half, but Rogers State went +8 in rebounding to even it out.
 
SECOND HALF
To start the half, Parkside jumped out to a quick 4-point lead after a D'Aaron Owens jumper and a Brandon Hau layup. The big difference in the game was a 15-0 run by the Hillcats from 15:20 to 10:09, putting Rogers State up 52-41 with 10:09 to play. After a pair of free throws by Brandon Trimble with 2:33 to play, Parkside found themselves down six, but Rogers State followed that with a triple and the Rangers went cold from the floor the rest of the way.
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Trimble led the way with 15 points, hitting a trio of 3-pointers and going 4-for-4 at the free-throw line. Owens and Joey St. Pierre each had 12 points while Hau had six points and a team-high six rebounds. Chavares Flanigan chipped in eight assists. The Rangers shot 41.3-percent and 7-of-25 from beyond the arc.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Rangers will face the host of the Holliday Classic, Arkansas-Fort Smith, on Wednesday at 5 p.m. before returning home to battle Trinity International on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 3 p.m.