GOODWELL, Okla. -   Oklahoma Panhandle State University men's basketball slugged it out with Sooner Athletic Conference power Texas Wesleyan University, dropping an 86-78 decision at Anchor D Arena. The Aggies (4-5, 3-5 SAC) pushed the Rams (9-2, 5-2 SAC) – who receiver votes in the latest NAIA top-25 coaches poll – to the brink, as the teams were tied six times and swapped leads eight times.
 
The teams were knotted at 42-42 at the intermission. Both teams shot the ball well, with Panhandle making good on 49.2 percent (31-63) from the field and TWU hitting 51.6 percent (33-64).
 
"I'm very proud of the fight we showed tonight," OPSU Head Coach Mark Laird said. "We attacked a really good team that's a contender for the SAC regular season title and a top-25 caliber team. They have veteran upperclassmen and an all American in (Payton) Sallee. We are still a very young team and we are still becoming a unit. When we take care of the ball we can beat anyone in the SAC."
 
A quartet of Aggies – Jalen Thomas, Auston Chatman, Alfred Alkannama and Justin Pile – gave Laird double-digit scoring in the tough setback. Once again, it was the freshman Thomas with a huge effort.
 
Thomas had a double-double, sharing high-game scoring accolades (with TWU's Sebastian Karkowski), by notching 25 points. Thomas was 10-for-21 from the floor and also pulled down a game-leading 12 rebounds. He capped an all-around sterling effort with seven assists and six steals, both game-best numbers.
 
Chatman was 5-for-11 from the field – also blocking three Ram shots- and Alkannama 5-of-6. Alkannama also dished off four assists.  Pile also grabbed four boards.
 
Senior DK Sumo IV gave an eight-point effort and Quentin Fankhouser with four. Garrett Richardson and TC Ellis each tallied three points to round out the Aggie scoring.
 
Panhandle State will look to rebound on Saturday, when it hosts Southwestern Assemblies of God University on Saturday (Feb. 6). Tip-off is scheduled for 3:45 p.m.