CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State men's basketball team started with a 26-6 run in the first nine minutes en route to an emphatic 99-59 victory over Ecclesia on Homecoming at the Claremore Expo Center Saturday.
 
Six quick points in the paint, including four from Jeylyn Sharpe, put the Hillcats up 6-0 less than three minutes into the contest. After a basket from the Royals, Sharpe hit a three pointer for a 9-2 lead, giving Sharpe seven of the first nine RSU points. Donald Moore added a trey for an early 14-4 advantage.
 
The Hillcats used a 10-0 spurt to push to a 26-6 margin as Robert Johnson poured in eight points during the run, including the final six. RSU held a 50-26 advantage at halftime as both Sharpe and Johnson reached double figures with 16 and 10 points, respectively. The Cats shot 53 percent (17-32) from the field and held a 20-10 advantage in rebounds in the first half.
 
In the second half, the Hillcats continued to roll. With five minutes remaining, RSU had its largest lead at 92-43 after a layup from Caleb Jones, who came off the bench and chipped in seven points in seven minutes, and closed out the victory, 99-59.
 
RSU finished the night shooting 55 percent (36-65) from the floor and out-rebounded the Royals by a 41-27 margin, including 14 offensive rebounds. RSU's defense forced 22 turnovers, while only committing 12.
 
Four Hillcats scored in double figures, led by Sharpe's 18 points. Johnson added 14 points on 6-for-6 shooting, while Jordan Huffman also tallied 14 points, with 12 points coming in the second half. J.C. Hartzler reached double figures for the fourth time this season with 12 points, going 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
 
Matt Lea pulled down a game-high eight rebounds in only 18 minutes, including five offensive rebounds. Moore registered a game-high five assists as RSU finished with 15 assists as a team.
 
The Hillcats (4-0 overall) travel to Northeastern State on Tuesday, Nov. 24 for a 7:30 p.m. contest in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Catch the action with live audio on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.