GOODWELL, Okla. -   The Oklahoma Panhandle State University women's basketball saw a potential win slip through its fingers in the fourth quarter of an 87-81 loss to Southwestern Christian University at Anchor D Arena. In a game that was tight from start to finish, the Aggies (1-3, 1-3 SAC) and Eagles (5-2, 1-2 SAC) had seven ties and 17 lead changes.
 
Panhandle State had the game's largest cushion – 10 points – 34-24 with 3:49 left in the second quarter. The Aggies lead by seven points, 72-65, midway through the fourth period.
 
But from that juncture, SCU went on a 16-1 run over the next three minutes to gain its largest advantage of the game, 81-73, with 2:48 left to play.  But OPSU would not go away and a Jo Quintero bucket with 47 seconds remaining got her team within two, 83-81. However, Panhandle would not get any closer in the waning moments of the contest.
 
"We are disappointed as a team after this one," OPSU Head Coach Victor Esparza said. "We feel like we let one get away from us. We played really hard and our effort was great. We all know we need to clean a few little things up. But I am so proud of this group for fighting for 40 minutes. This is a special group that is still trying to find their way together."
 
The Aggies had their best shooting game of the year, hitting 49.2 percent from the floor and season-best 12 three-point baskets made. Panhandle's 12-for-27 (44.4 percent) from beyond the arc was also the team's top game effort from long range.
 
The Aggies' senior dynamic duo of Cassia McCaskill and Naomi Rodriguez continued to lead the resurgent OPSU team in 2020-21. Both players have produced double-figure scoring in each of OPSU's four games this season, including the close setback versus Southwestern Christian.
 
McCaskill continued to be steady as a rock, tallying 25 points versus the Eagles. McCaskill hit 8-of-16 from the field, 5-of-8 three-point attempts and was 4-for-4 from the free throw stripe. She also shared game-high rebound honors (with teammate Tateum Jones) at nine, while dishing off three assists and making two blocks.
 
Rodriguez chipped in 18 points on a 7-for-11 shooting effort, draining 4-of-7 tries from three-point country, as well.
 
Jones was Panhandle State's third double-digit scorer of the game with 12 points. In addition to her before-mentioned nine rebounds, Jones dished off a game-high eight assists and made three steals.
 
Morgan Williamson added nine points and Quintero six. Laura Moya Demures and Alie Parkhurst each booked four points, and Myra McCaskill three, to round out OPSU's scorers.
 
The Aggies will next be in action at Wayland Baptist University on Tuesday (Jan. 19).