Women's Basketball | 11/11/2019 9:02:00 PM

Box Score GOODWELL, Okla. – After playing its only game of the season heading into tonight on October 28, the Oklahoma Panhandle State University women's basketball team made the wait worthwhile for its fans. The Aggies (1-1) put on a clinic in its home opener, scoring a 104-33 victory over Manhattan Christian College at Anchor D Arena.
 
Panhandle never trailed in the game and, after Cassia McCaskill buried a three-point basket with 8:29 left in the first quarter to break a 2-2- tie, the Aggies never trailed again. As a matter-of-fact, McCaskill's long-range shot keyed a 12-0 run by OPSU and the rout was on.  Panhandle built its cushion to 27-9 by the end of the first period, 57-16 at halftime and 79-26 after three stanzas.
 
Every player available on Aggie Head Coach Victor Esparza's bench played at least 10 minutes, as well as all scoring. In all, six Panhandle players registered double-figure scoring in the game, with McCaskill – a junior transfer and native of Townsville, Australia - turning in a double-double of 11 points and a game-leading 13 rebounds.  McCaskill also had four assists, one block and a steal to her credit.
 
It was junior guard Naomi Rodriguez, a former Hooker High School player, who led the assault by7 matching her Panhandle State career high of 22 points. Rodriguez made good on 10-of-17 from the field, including a pair of treys, while also dishing off for three assists and a game-leading four steals.
 
In all, the Aggies had 18 steals and committed just eight turnovers.
 
Shaylynn Choate, Hannah Bennett and Nadia Hayes each tallied 12 points. Choate was an efficient 5-of-7 from the field, going 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. Choate grabbed five rebounds and had two assists.
 
Bennett was nearly as deft from the floor, making 5-of-8 shots, and pulling down seven rebounds, matching Rodriguez with four steals for good measure.  Hayes gave the Aggies the best shooting effort, with a 6-for-7 game from the field.
 
Freshman Shay Audrain, from Stratford, Texas, was the sixth player in double figures with 10 points in 20 minutes on the court. Audrain corralled eight rebounds – seven on the defensive end – to go along with two assists and two steals.
 
OPSU's Spanish import, junior Laura Moya Demures, and returning sophomore Kaylee Morgan, took care of the ball distribution with seven assists apiece.
 
As a team, Panhandle State shot a lofty 55 percent (44-80) from the field and 37 percent (10-27) from long distance.  
 
Panhandle State will next be in action on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16, as it hosts the Aggie Classic. The Aggies will play at 8 p.m. both days, with the tourney's three other teams – USAO, Northern New Mexico and University of the Southwest – involved in the 6 p.m. contest each day, as well.