FT. WORTH, Texas - Senior Cassia McCaskill scored her Oklahoma Panhandle State University career high of 30 points, but it was not enough as her team suffered a 62-56 Sooner Athletic Conference road loss to Texas Wesleyan University. The setback was the second-consecutive close loss for the Aggies (0-2, 0-2 SAC), while the Lady Rams (1-2, 1-1 SAC) notched their first win of the season in a game during which neither team led by more than single digits.
 
OPSU's largest advantage was a five-point spread at 4:33 of the second quarter, after a steal and layup by McCaskill. Panhandle State's last lead in the game was 45-44 at the 9:45 juncture in the fourth period, ironically on a steal and basket by McCaskill once again (her only two steals of the game). TWU – which lost to NAIA No. 2 Wayland Baptist by just two points less than a week ago – had its largest cushion of nine points at 4:31 of the third stanza.
 
"This was a big road test for us that we just came up short," OPSU Head Coach Victor Esparza said. "We did some really good things and know what we need to build on. We must do a better job on the glass, so we can control the game more. I was proud of the fight we showed and we never quit, and gave us a shot to win."
 
 
And McCaskill's best game as an Aggie helped keep the visitors in a position to compete for the win. McCaskill was on the floor 38 of the 40 minutes, hitting 11-of-21 from the field overall and 5-for-10 from three-point range. She also was a perfect 3-of-3 from the free throw line and hauled in four rebounds.
 
Fellow senior Naomi Rodriguez was the only other Aggie to reach double-figure scoring with 10 points. Rodriguez also had two assists and two rebounds to her credit.
 
Post players Morgan Williamson and Alie Parkhurst each booked four points. Williamson had four boards to match Cassia McCaskill, as did sophomore Myra McCaskill.
 
Three points each for Tateum Jones and Jo Quintero, along with two by Laura Moya Demures, rounded out the Aggie scoring for the evening.
 
One thing where the Aggies showed improvement was taking care of the ball and capitalizing on the Rams' miscues. Panhandle committed 13 turnovers, compared to 15 by TWU, which it converted into 19 points. OPSU was out-rebounded 33-24.
 
Panhandle State will play its first home game of the season this coming Saturday, when the team welcomes Southwestern Christian University to Anchor D Arena for a 2 p.m. tip.