CLAREMORE, Okla. - A balanced scoring attack allowed Rogers State to outlast Northwestern Okla. State (Alva, Okla.) for an 88-77 victory in Sooner Athletic Conference play Saturday night at the Claremore Expo.
 

Eric Young and Roderick Rodgers scored 18 points apiece while Sylvester Spicer and Aldric Reynolds each added 17 points to pace the fifth-ranked Hillcats. RSU shot 57 percent from the floor to remain unbeaten on the season. It marked the third time in the last four games the Cats posted a shooting percentage above 50 percent.
 

The contest was nip-and-tuck throughout the first half as Northwestern guards Catrell Curry and Brandon Brown kept the Rangers hanging close. The teams exchanged the lead nine times and remained deadlocked at 43-43 entering halftime. Curry and Brown teamed up for 21 points in the first period while Sylvester Spicer led RSU with 13.
 

Back-to-back buckets by Rodgers ignited an 8-0 run for the Hillcats midway through the second half. A Termaine Snyder jumper cut the lead to 71-68 with 6:47 remaining but the Cats responded with seven straight points and held at least a two possession lead the rest of the way.
 

RSU shot a scorching 59 percent from the floor in the second half and made its only two 3-point attempts. The Hillcats also outrebounded the Rangers by seven in the second frame and held Curry and Brown to a combined nine points. Young and Rodgers combined for 24 second half points to lead the charge for RSU.
 

Rogers State (11-0, 5-0) claimed sole possession of first place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings after No. 10 Oklahoma Christian was upset by John Brown Saturday night. The Hillcats will face OC Monday night at the Eagles' Nest in Edmond, Okla. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. and the game will be carried live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.