CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State men's basketball turned a strong first half performance into a complete game victory over Wayland Baptist, 74-59, inside the Claremore Expo Saturday afternoon.
A right handed bunny hook from Brian Gibson opened the Hillcat scoring and RSU didn't look back holding a 30-18 lead at the half.
The Hillcats limited the Pioneers to just 10 percent shooting from three-point as WBU connected on 23 percent from the field.
After shooting 37.5 percent in the first half, RSU connected on 57 percent from the field in the second stanza. The Hillcats never led by fewer than 11 points in the second period and held a 22 points lead at 46-24 with 16:11 to go.
Wayland Baptist (14-13, 5-9) shot 37 percent from the field for the game as guard Reggie Fondren led with 16 points for the Pioneers. Travis Payton chipped in 13 and Eric Milam added 11.
RSU won the battle of the boards for just the third time in conference play with 40 rebounds to the Pioneers 19. Freshman guard J.C. Hartzler led the way with 10 rebounds as the Tulsa Union product tallied the first double-double of his Hillcat career with 10 points.
Robinson Odoch Opong had a career high 19 points for RSU. The junior guard hit five three-pointers, one shy of the 2012-13 season record of six set by Donald Williams versus Mid-America Christian on Jan. 5.
Justynn Hammond in his fourth start of the season added 13 points before fouling out while Williams finished with 11 points, marking the 25th time the senior guard has scored double-figures this season.
Rogers State (19-9, 7-7) travels to St. Gregory's for a Wednesday night affair in Shawnee, Okla. on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. Live audio streaming will be available on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live with a simulcast on RSU Radio 91.3FM and at www.rsuradio.com.
