OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The return of Sylvester Spicer coupled with precision free throw shooting resulted in an 82-67 win for Rogers State over Mid-America Christian Thursday night in Oklahoma City.
Spicer led the top ranked Hillcats in scoring in his first game action since the death of his younger brother two weeks ago. The Dallas native returned in fine fashion and showed no signs of rust as he scored nine points in the first half and finished with 15.
The Hillcats efficiency from the charity stripe pushed them over the top. RSU went 27-for-29 (93%) while the Evangels countered at 76% from the line. The Cats were perfect in the second half, hitting all nine of their free throw attempts.
Eric Young recorded his third double-double of the season as he scored 12 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Also joining Young and Spicer in the double-digit scoring ranks was sophomore guard Deveric Taylor with 12. Taylor, who leads the nation in 3-point field goal percentage at 53 percent, only made 2-of-6 shots from behind the arc. RSU shot just 21 percent as a team from 3-point land, marking the second straight game the Hillcats struggled from long range.
RSU led by only five points at the break but was able to pull away in the second half due to better shooting from the field as the Hillcats hit 50 percent of their shots. RSU held a 21 point lead with just under four minutes remaining following a Deveric Taylor layup. The Evangels went on to score eight of the final 10 points of the game to make the final margin of victory 15 points.
MACU had three players score in double figures led by Tyron Goldsmith with 14. Charlie Shorter chipped in with 11 while Corey Raney added 12. The Evangels were able to force the Hillcats into 21 turnovers for the game. However, RSU won the turnover war, forcing MACU into 23 miscues with 11 steals.
Rogers State (24-1, 18-1) ran its winning streak to 11 games with victory and remains tied with Oklahoma Baptist for first place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings. The Hillcats return to the Claremore Expo Center Saturday night to face two-time defending national champion Oklahoma City. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the game will be carried live on RSU Public Television and RSU Radio 91.3 FM. The first 200 fans through the gates will receive a free Hillcat Hand Banner courtesy of the RSU athletic department.
