LINDSBORG, Kan. - Everything had come easy for the Rogers State men's basketball team through the opening week of the season.
 

That wasn't the case on Friday night as it took a blue collar effort from the Hillcats to pick up their first road victory, 77-65, over Kansas Wesleyan in Lindsborg, Kan.
 

RSU dominated the boards with a 46-22 advantage and tallied 23 second chance points to hold off a resilient Kansas Wesleyan squad. Sophomore Eric Young led the way for RSU with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
 

The Cats and Coyotes exchanged the lead seven times in the first half before Wren Baker's team finally pulled away. Rogers State came out firing in the second half. Abram Donlon hit a trey from the top of the key to make it 46-31 four minutes into the second half. Aldric Reynolds gave the Hillcats their largest lead of the game on a steal and score with 13:19 remaining, 52-34.
 

However, KWU would not go quietly. Former Tulsa McClain High School product Trey Sims poured in 29 points in the contest to keep things interesting. Sims knocked down back-to-back threes with 11 minutes remaining to make it 54-43. After an RSU turnover he drilled a 15-foot jumper to make it a nine point game, but, the Coyotes couldn't draw any closer.
 

James Coats came off the bench to hit two threes and put the game out of reach. Roderick Rodgers enjoyed another productive night with 16 points and nine rebounds. Donlon and Reynolds finished with 11 and 12 points, respectively.
 

The Hillcats return to action Saturday afternoon for a rematch with Bethany College. RSU demoralized the Swedes last weekend at the Claremore Expo, 116-62. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. and the game can be heard live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.