GOODWELL, Okla. – Oklahoma Panhandle State University men's basketball used a red-hot shooting night, combined with lockdown defense, in a 95-77 non-conference, season-opening, home win over Barclay College. No less than five players scored in double-digits as the Aggies (1-0) led wire-to-wire over the Bears (1-2).
 
"I was very happy with how the guys kept their focus through the crazy week that we had," OPSU Head Coach Mark Laird said. "I felt our energy and tempo were where we wanted them, for the most part. You could definitely tell it was our first game due to all of the unforced turnovers. But more importantly, we maintained our character and put our 'Uncommon Culture' on display for our friends and family in attendance and watching online. It was a good team win with lots of guys contributing. I love these guys and I love where we're headed."
 
Panhandle State raced out to an 8-0 led to open the game and never looked back, leading by as many as 21 points in the opening stanza that ended with the Aggies up 54-34. BC got to within 10 points midway through the second half, but OPSU beat back the Bears, posting its largest lead of the game – 24 points – 92-68 with 3:30 left to play on a Justin Pile free throw.
 
The big first-half surge was thanks to the efforts of sophomore transfer Jamaal Smith. Smith scored six of OPSU's first eight points during that opening run and scored all of his game-high 19 points in the opening period. He finished the game shooting 8-for-13, with six rebounds, two assists and a block.
 
Joining Smith in the scoring party was Pile with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Pile connected on 7-of-11 from the floor and added two steals.
 
Senior guard TC Ellis had a hand in the 12 points he scored, as well as dishing off a game-leading eight assists, to go along with a pair of steals. Alfred Alkannama added 11 points and Auston Chatman 10 to round out Panhandle's quintet of double-figure scorers.
 
OPSU shot an impressive 45.7 percent from the floor, hitting 37-of-81 attempts. The Aggies also won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding Barclay by a 45-39 margin.
 
But it was Panhandle's smothering defense that paid the biggest dividends. The Aggies forced BC into 26 turnovers, which OPSU converted into 40 of its points. In all, OPSU had 18 steals, led by Alkannama's four thefts.
 
Laird's platoon-style substitutions also produced results, as the Aggies had 44 bench points. No matter who was on the floor, the OPSU made its living with the inside game that generated 62 points in the paint.
 
Panhandle State will next be at home versus Central Christian College on Thursday, November 12. The women-men doubleheader tips off at 6 p.m. in Anchor D Arena.