LANGSTON, Okla. - Oklahoma Panhandle State University's men's basketball team ha what was, arguably, its best all-around effort of the season as it crushed rival Langston University, 98-62, at the C.F. Gayles Field House. The Aggies (3-4, 2-4 SAC) win over the Lions (0-5, 0-5 SAC) was its most points scored in a single game since February 7, 2019 (when it put up 99 versus Bacone).
 
"It feels good to get our first road win," OPSU Head Coach Mark Laird said. "It was a great team win. Everyone contributed."
 
All 14 players available to Laird saw plenty of time on the floor, with 11 players scoring. Freshman phenom Jalen Thomas continued his hot hand for OPSU, leading his team with 20 points on a 9-for-11 shooting effort. Thomas had two of Panhandle's five treys as a team. It was also his third 20-point game in the last four outings for Thomas and fifth double-digit scoring effort in his six games played.
 
Alfred Alkannama and DK Sumo IV each booked 14 points. Alkannama converted 6-of-8 from the floor and had a pair of steals.
 
Sumo came off the bench to make good on 7-of-9 shot attempts. He also pulled down a team-leading four rebounds.
 
Antanas Tamulis added 11 points. Tamulis was 4-for-8 shooting, including one three ball.
 
Panhandle State's balanced scoring saw TC Ellis and Kaleb Stephens each chip in nine points, with Justin Pile adding seven.
 
Jamaal Smith tallied four points, while Auston Chatman and Coltyn Semmel had three each. Reese Seideman and Garrett Richardson both had two points to cap the Aggies' scoring.
 
The game was never much in doubt for OPSU, as the squad built a 56-28 halftime lead, thanks to a blistering 71-percent field goal percentage in the first half. The Aggies "cooled down" a bit in the second stanza, shooting 60.3 percent (41-68) for the game.
 
Panhandle State also did a good job protecting the basketball, committing just 10 turnovers for the contest. Conversely, the aggressive Aggies forced the Lions into 29 miscues.
 
OPSU will try to make it two straight on Saturday afternoon, when it travels to Central Christian College. Tipoff in McPherson, Kansas, is slated for 3:45 p.m.