CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State used its size and athleticism to strong-arm Tabor College (Hillsboro, Kan.) and post a 65-49 win in front of 1,276 fans Saturday on Homecoming at the Claremore Expo.
 

After splitting a pair of exhibitions, RSU Head Coach Lloyd Williams notched his first career victory in Saturday's official season opener.
 

Forwards Sylvester Spicer and Abram Donlon combined for 27 points and 22 rebounds against the Bluejays on a night when the RSU guards struggled to find their stride. The Hillcats benefited from a 58-40 rebounding advantage and tallied six blocked shots. Freshman Scottie Farrington tied a team record with four blocks in the contest.
 

RSU jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game and extended the margin to 10 on a 3-point-play by Spicer at the 9:14 mark of the first half. The Hillcats held a comfortable double-digit lead the rest of the night. However, Tabor managed to keep the game competitive until the waning moments.
 

Zack Vanselow led the Bluejays with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Tabor shot just 26 percent from the field in the first half and 30 percent for the game. The visitors went 1-for-10 from behind the arc. RSU mirrored the Bluejays shooting struggles, hitting just 27 percent in the second half and 31 percent for the game. The 65 points posted by the Hillcats were the fewest ever for an RSU team in a victory.
 

Junior Eric Young was the only guard in the RSU lineup with a productive offensive performance. Young, who led the Hillcats in scoring during their two exhibitions, tallied 14 points and 12 rebounds to record his third career double-double. The Houston native scored eight straight points during one stretch in the second half to give RSU its largest lead at 52-29.
 

Rogers State (1-0) will play its final exhibition contest of the season Tuesday night. The Hillcats face Oral Roberts University at the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Okla. The Golden Eagles won the only prior meeting between the two schools, 88-76, last November. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be aired live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM