CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State built an early lead that grew to a 98-60 victory over Randall University Tuesday evening inside the Claremore Expo.
 
The Hillcats slowly built an 11 point advantage over the opening 10:30 of play and didn't look back as the Saints were unable to pull the deficit to less than double-figures for the remainder of the game. RSU took a 47-24 advantage into the intermission behind as ten of the 11 Hillcats scored in the opening stanza.
 
Randall, formerly Hillsdale Free Will Baptist, was able to bring a 26 point difference to less than 20 three times in the second half of play. The final such occurrence came with 8:57 remaining on a Trey Sneed 3-pointer to pull the Saints within 19 points at 71-52. RSU answered with a 27-8 run to come away with the 98-60 victory over Randall.
 
JD Tisdale led all scorers with 17 points as five Hillcats scored in double-figures. Jeylyn Sharpe added 15 points to pull within 27 points of Matt Kellogg, at 860, for fifth in career scoring. Travis Hester continued his spot up shooting from behind the arc going 4-of-8 to finish with 12 points. Chase Littlejohn tied a career high with 10 points while first year Hillcat Don Leak set a career high with 10 points in the victory.
 
RSU dished out 24 assists and matched a season high with five blocks as Christopher Ikuenobe swatted two shots to lead the Cats.
 
Randall (4-7) was led by Trey Sneed and Xavier Hunter with 13 points each as three Saints scored in double figures.
 
Rogers State (7-3) will hit the road to open Heartland Conference play this Saturday, Dec. 17 at St. Mary's in San Antonio, Texas. Tip is set for 3 p.m. and live play-by-play coverage will be provided on RSU Radio 91.3 FM. The radio broadcast will be simulcast online with audio streaming on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.