Rogers High fell behind early again, but the slow start did not result in a second consecutive home loss.

Rogers eased ahead in the middle quarters and hung on to defeat Van Buren 44-38 Tuesday in 6A-West Conference play at King Arena. Six players scored between eight and six points for Rogers (14-8, 4-4), which dropped to fifth place in the league after losing to Rogers Heritage last Friday.

Van Buren tied the game with six minutes left. But Rogers pulled ahead again with the help of free throws from Camiran Brockhoff and Gracie Carr, who combined to make 8 of 10 attempts at the line in the final minutes.

"That was a big one for us," Rogers coach Preston Early said. "It might've saved our season. It put us back in the hunt again at 4-4. We looked like our old selves again."