CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State crushed Ecclesia College on the boards and in the paint en route to an 87-46 victory on opening night of Hoopin' for the Cure, presented by Claremore Regional Hospital at the Claremore Expo.
 

The Hillcats outrebounded the Lady Royals by 22 and posted 38 points in the paint to improve to 3-0 on the young season. Seniors Jenny Hardin and Autumn Thompson led the way with 15 points apiece. Hardin recorded her first double-double in a Hillcat uniform by also grabbing 10 rebounds.
 

A 14-0 run midway through the first half put the Cats comfortably in front at 32-10. RSU doubled up Ecclesia on the scoreboard in the first period, 44-22, by shooting 53 percent from the field. A 25-1 RSU scoring streak in the second stanza turned the contest into a runaway.

Yoda Woods joined Hardin and Thompson in double figures with 11 points. Candice Stewart stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Eleven RSU players got in on the scoring act as the Hillcat bench contributed 33 points.

Rogers State (3-0) extended its best start in program history with its third straight victory. The Hillcats return to action Saturday evening to face Texas Wesleyan. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be carried live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.

Day two of Hoopin' for the Cure begins at 2 p.m. Saturday with Evangel vs. Ecclesia College. Arlington Baptist and Missouri Baptist will play at 4 p.m. followed by the RSU women at 6 p.m. and the RSU men vs. Avila University at 8 p.m. Festivities include a silent auction with signed memorabilia, OU, OSU, and Arkansas basketball tickets, golf packages, a fire pit and more, along with in-game contests featuring prizes such as a 42 inch television.