BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - Oklahoma Wesleyan staked claim to regional bragging rights with a 91-82 victory over Rogers State in the first ever meeting between the two schools Tuesday night in Bartlesville, Okla.
 

The sixth-ranked Hillcats couldn't keep pace with OWU All-Americans Steve Briggs and Sadiel Rojas. The sharp-shooting duo teamed up for 55 points to the delight of a capacity crowd inside OWU's Mueller Sports Center. Briggs tallied 21 of his game-high 31 points in the first half with the bulk of his scoring coming off six 3-point baskets.
Briggs scored seven straight points in the span of two possessions to give the Eagles a nine point lead with 2:30 to play in the first half. Matt Kellogg beat the halftime buzzer with a trey to trim the margin to 49-43 at the break. The teams combined for a jaw-dropping 18 3-pointers in the first half. The Cats knocked down 10 shots from behind the arc, but the Eagles countered by shooting 55 percent from the floor overall.

After falling behind by six points, RSU stormed back to take the lead on a steal and score by Chris Francis at the 8:55 mark of the second half. OWU answered with a 6-0 run capped by a tough fade-away jumper by Briggs at the five minute mark. Aron Crowley nailed a three with just under two minutes left to give the Eagles a 10 point lead they would not relinquish. Crowly joined Briggs and Rojas in double figures with 11 points.

Sylvester Spicer led the Hillcats with 18 points while Lance Sullivan added 16. Reggie Burnett and Maurice Rutherford also reached double figures with 12 points apiece. Rutherford continued his solid play with five assists, five rebounds and three steals. The 5-9 guard was RSU's leading rebounder as the Cats were doubled up on the glass, 49-24.

Oklahoma Wesleyan entered the contest ranked No. 1 in NAIA Division II after winning its first National Championship last season. The Eagles made up for 22 turnovers by shooting 50 percent from the field overall. Both teams finished with 12 3-point baskets in the contest.

Rogers State (1-1) lost a regular season non-conference game for the first time in nearly two years. The Hillcats will return home this weekend to participate in Hoopin' for the Cure, presented by Claremore Regional Hospital at the Claremore Expo. RSU will face Missouri Baptist Friday night at 8 p.m. and the game will be carried live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.