GOODWELL, Okla. – Oklahoma Panhandle State University women's basketball rode a career night by senior Cassia McCaskill to its third-consecutive victory, defeating Southwestern Assemblies of God University, 69-53. The Aggies (4-5, 4-5 SAC) led wire-to-wire in the Sooner Athletic Conference win over the Lions (1-8, 1-5 SAC) at Anchor D Arena.
 
The Panhandle victory also snapped the program's three-game losing streak versus SAGU dating back to the 2018-19 season.
 
"I was proud of our team tonight and what they have accomplished," OPSU Head Coach Victor Esparza said. This was probably the best we have played all year. Our fight and determination was great. I am proud of the entire team; this was a total team effort. We set out to protect home court and we did just that. Now we will focus on our upcoming road trip next week."
 
While Esparza received contributions from all of his roster, none was larger than that of McCaskill. McCaskill – a native Australian who is posting all-American-like numbers - finished the afternoon with a career-high 38 points and did so with efficiency by hitting 11-of-19 from the field overall, 5-of-8 from three-point range and 11-for-12 on free throws. She also grabbed eight rebounds and dished off three assists.
 
Guards Tateum Jones and Naomi Rodriguez each chipped in eight points. The diminutive Jones – at 5-foot-4 – hustled her way to game-leading totals of 15 rebounds (13 on the defensive glass) and seven assists.
 
Former Guymon High School player Jo Quintero came off the OPSU bench to book seven points, buoyed by a 5-for-6 game from the free throw stripe.
 
Sophomore Myra McCaskill Laura Moya Demures each scored three points, with McCaskill pulling down five rebounds, as well. Morgan Williamson's two points, along with four rebounds, closed out the Aggie scorers.
 
As a team, Panhandle State held a 44-37 edge on the glass. McCaskill, alone, out-scored the Lions' to three individuals combined (with 13, 12 and 12 points).
 
By virtue of the win, the Aggies moved into sixth place in the SAC and will have a chance to tighten the standings even more this week.
 
On Tuesday (Feb. 9/6 p.m.), OPSU travels to University of Science and Art-Oklahoma, currently in fourth place in conference. On Thursday (Feb. 11/6 p.m.), the Aggies square off versus fifth-place Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Okla.