CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State men's basketball (9-3) rolled past Southwestern Christian (4-8) with an 88-50 win on Saturday.
 
"This was a good win for us, and I was pleased with our defensive approach today," said Head Coach Justin Barkley. "We had a good week of practice, and this started an important stretch for us with four games in eight days. We know we have some challenges in front of us with the opponents, the travel and the Christmas break looming at the end. We need to stay locked in and finish what we have started this semester with the three games we have coming up. I was really proud of what we did today. We got some good looks and the ball moved well. All in all, we got what we needed out of this game and a lot of guys got some quality minutes."
 
Three Hillcats finished in double figures. Caden Fry led all scorers with 16 points to go with two rebounds, two assists and a steal. Kofi Hamilton added 15 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block. Andrew Mason contributed 10 points with three rebounds and two steals. Anthony Marshall Jr. shined in his role as floor general as he dished out eight assists along with five points, four rebounds and two steals.
 
RSU got out to a fast start as they opened the game on a 13-2 run in the first four and a half minutes. They shot it really well from the floor in the first half, shooting 56 percent and going 6-for 13 from three in the period. They also held the Eagles to a measly 34 percent from the floor and forced them into going 0-9 from deep in the period. The Hillcats took a 47-18 advantage into the locker room.
 
While Southwestern Christian found more offensive success in the second half, shooting 46 percent from the floor, RSU kept up the pressure. The Hillcats managed to shoot 54 percent from the floor for the game, putting up 41 points in the second half and eventually taking the victory 88-50.
 
RSU will begin a three-game road trip to close out the calendar year on Tuesday, Dec. 17 as they travel to San Antonio, Texas to face off against No. 9 North Georgia in the first game of the River City Holiday Classic. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.