Women's Basketball | 11/17/2019 12:15:00 PM
Box Score
GOODWELL, Okla. - Oklahoma Panhandle State University women's basketball capped a perfect 3-0 week, by defeating the University of the Southwest (N.M.), 87-56, in the finale of the 2019 Aggie Classic at Anchor D Arena. The Aggies (3-1) shot better than 50 percent from the field for the third-consecutive game – all won by OPSU – and also had double-digit three-point baskets made in each contest, as well.
In the Aggie Classic Panhandle State went 2-0, as did the University of Science and Arts-Oklahoma. The Aggies also had a win earlier in the week versus Manhattan Christian.
The two teams battled close in the first quarter, ending the stanza in a 12-12 stalemate. Panhandle created some separation in the second period, taking a 38-26 advantage into the locker room. The Aggies led 60-46 after the third quarter and finished by out-scoring the Mustangs in the fourth, 27-10.
Senior
Nadia Hayes came off of the OPSU bench to provide the spark for her team, Hayes booked a season-high 19 points, in rolling up her third-straight double-digit scoring game, as well. Hayes was the model of consistency, missing just one shot – going 7-for-8 – from the floor (as she did in the previous two game) on her way to a game-leading 19 points. She also grabbed five rebounds and made a pair of steals in the big win.
On the week, Hayes was an unstoppable force off the Panhandle bench for Aggie Head Coach
Victor Esparza. In the three games last week, Hayes singed the nets by shooting a red-hot .864 from the floor.
"My game plan was just to stay ready," Hayes said afterwards. "No matter how the game was going, I just made sure I was ready to do my part and play my position well. It was a team effort, overall."
Redshirt-freshman guard Vanessa Gonzales was close behind with 18 points on a 7-for-14 night shooting. Gonzales made a game-leading four baskets from beyond the arc. She also gave off two assists and made two steals.
Shay Audrain and
Cassia McCaskill each added 11 points to the OPSU coffers. Audrain went 4-for-5 overall from the floor and was a perfect 2-for-2 from long distance, all while also pulling down four boards. McCaskill had a game high in rebounds with six.
Spanish import
Laura Moya Demures had her second-straight game in double-figure scoring – with 10 points – as the Aggies fifth player in the game with 10 or more points scored. Moya Demures hit 4-of-6 – also going 2-for-2 from three-point range – and passed off for four assists.
Shaylynn Choates chipped in eight points and
Kaylee Morgan four, with Morgan making three steals and four assists, as well.
Naomi Rodriguez and
Lowendie Laporal each tallied two points to round out the Panhandle scoring.
"The University of the Southwest just plays so dang hard," Esparza reflected post-game. "I think that caught us off-guard a little bit at the beginning of the game. For us, we have to build on what we did (Friday night). Every game is different. The flow is going to be different. We've got to just take it as game at a time and not worry about past games or success.
"People can see, especially from this weekend, we can shoot the basketball; we can put it in the hole. So, we can't turn the ball over, so we have all those shot opportunities. But I'm proud of our girls, a great weekend for us. Now it's time to turn the page on Monday and get ready for two road conference games next week."
The Panhandle State squad will get a severe test out of the blocks, as it begins Sooner Athletic Conference action on Thursday (Nov. 21) at NAIA pre-season No. 3-ranked Oklahoma City University. Tipoff in the OKC is slated for 6 p.m. OCU is the defending SAC champion and was the national runner-up last season.
