CLAREMORE, Okla. – The No. 4 Rogers State men's basketball team wrapped up the first semester schedule of games with a 97-58 victory over Ecclesia College (Ark.) inside the Claremore Expo Monday evening.

The Royals kept it close versus the hometown Hillcats for the opening 10 minutes of play with the game tied at 19-19. From there the Cats took control with a 20-4 run over the next 5:38 of play. RSU entered the intermission with a 51-32 lead.

The second half saw much of the same as the lead grew to its largest spread of 48 points as the Hillcats led 94-46 with 4:44 remaining. RSU shot 61.3 percent from the field in the second half led by nine second half points by freshman Ehron Ponds. The Tulsa Edison product finished with a career high 11 points as RSU claimed the 97-58 win.

Ecclesia (0-12) shot 39.3 percent from the field as Rashad Colbert led the way with 19 points for the visitors from Springdale, Ark.

Senior guard Donald Williams eclipsed the 20 point mark for the sixth time this season, finishing with 23 points in just 20 minutes of play. Ken Holdman totaled 14 points as Alex Ewings chipped in 13 for RSU. Tulsa, Okla. native J.C. Hartzler totaled 12 points as the Hillcats shot 57.1 percent from the field. RSU totaled 34 points off the bench and forced the Royals into 20 turnovers resulting in 25 fast break points.

Rogers State (11-2) won't return to action until after the Holiday season welcoming No. 12 Mid-America Nazarene Christian to the Claremore Expo on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 5 p.m. The game will be carried on RSU Radio 91.3FM and the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.