CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State fell into a huge hole in the first five minutes of the game and never recovered as John Brown claimed a 68-50 victory Tuesday night at the Claremore Expo.
 

The Golden Eagles scored the first 12 points of the game and built a 27 point lead in the closing minutes of the first half. Micaela Cully scored a game-high 16 points for John Brown in the Sooner Athletic Conference opener.
 

Cully tallied 11 of her 16 points before halftime when it seemed the Golden Eagles could do nothing wrong. JBU shot 53 percent, hit five 3-pointers and outrebounded the Hillcats 25-10 in the first frame. RSU made only seven field goals and was held to 28 percent shooting in the opening stanza.
 

The Cats made an early charge in the second half. RSU started the period on a 10-0 run and cut the lead to 11 on pair of buckets by Tasha Parker. However, Claire Harrison answered with a trey and JBU stretched its lead back to 21 with five minutes to play. Ashley Taylor added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Golden Eagles.
 

Parker was the only RSU player to finish in double figures with 11 points and seven rebounds. The Hillcats forced JBU into 25 turnovers but were unable to capitalize due to their shooting woes. The Cats finished the night just 18-of-55 from the field for 33 percent.
 

Rogers State (4-3, 0-1) fell to 0-1 in conference play and will take the next eight days off before returning to the hardwood. The Hillcats will host Lubbock Christian on Dec. 4th at the Claremore Expo. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be carried live on RSU Public Television and RSU Radio.