LANGSTON, Okla. - The Oklahoma Panhandle State men's basketball team traveled to Langston University for their last road trip game of the weekend looking to bounce back from their loss to the Central Christian Tigers. With a chip on their shoulder and a clear height advantage, the Aggies would return to form and defeat the Lions with a final score of 87-70. Once again riding the hot hands of Rayquan Elliot, Justin Pile, and Jalen Thomas. 

The Aggies came into the game against the Lions looking to reestablish their game plan and identity. Which is driving into the pain, getting fouled, and making their free throws. Something that they had lacked in previous games. The Aggies proved that doing so was possible in their first-half performance. Capitalizing on Lion turnovers as well as outrebounding the Lions in the half. A fantastic half for the Aggies as they would end the half with an eleven-point lead. Shooting 47 percent from the field and 100% from the free-throw line. Ending the half with forty-four total points, making it their most points scored in the first half since they beat Barclay College on November 9th. 

The Aggies would not take their feet off the gas as the second half got underway. Continuing to drive into the paint to get fouled, make their shot, or get their offensive rebound. Metrics that the Aggies were much more proficient in than the Lions. However, what set the Aggies up for success in the match was their ability to keep the ball secure. Allowing a season-low ten turnovers in the game. The Lions would attempt to make a comeback late in the second half by getting within eight of the Aggies however clutch steals, rebounds, and free-throws from Rayquan Elliot, Alfred Alkannama, and DK Sumo held the Lions at bay. 

Numerous Aggies would reach double-digits against the Lions. Elliot would finish with eighteen, Pile with seventeen, Thomas with eleven, and Sumo had thirteen. Another often overlooked aspect of the Aggie win was the success of the bench. The Aggie bench would finish with twenty-nine points in the game. Jalen Thomas and TC Ellis were a large part of that success. As the Aggie lead widened the Lions became desperate to score in any way they could, allowing the Aggies to do what they do best; rebound. Where they currently stand top-5 in the conference. 

On the road win, Head Coach Mark Laird complimented the Aggies' early-season resilience saying "we needed to bounce back, and we did. We wanted to hold them under 70 and we nearly did that. Our defensive cohesion is starting to come together. It's a good team win but we need to get ready for another tough SAC game on Tuesday at home".

The Aggie's head back to Anchor D Arena to take on the Wayland Baptist Pioneers Tuesday, December 7th at 7:45 PM.