GOODWELL, Okla - The Oklahoma Panhandle State enjoyed a warm welcome in Anchor D Arena as they defeated the Langston University Lions in their first home game in 51 days. Despite a slow offensive showing in the first half, the Aggies found their groove fast, coming out in the second half. While the usual suspects in Jalen Thomas and Rayquan Elliott once again proved their scoring capabilities, they were not the only ones against the Lions. Four Aggies would reach double-digits and scoring, and ten of the eleven Aggies that saw the four would have at least one bucket in the contest. 

"We struggled to guard the ball in the 1st half. But we were able to tighten up on the defensive end and hang on to get the win" stated Head Coach Mark Laird.

Laird continued, "we focused on sharing the ball this week in practice, and we had 22 assists tonight...our 2nd highest in a game this season. We will enjoy this tonight and get ready for a tough rematch on Saturday."

The Aggies saw production from everyone that saw the floor in some way. Junior Justin Pile would tally his third double-double of the year, going for 15 points and 11 rebounds. Auston Chatman would also reach the double-digit mark with Elliott, Thomas, and Pile. Primarily off the success of his three-point and his jumper.

The Aggies (9-10, 6-8 SAC) would improve their conference record in their 86-90 victory over the Langston Lions (1-19, 0-14 SAC). They effectively swept the Lions in the regular season for the 2021-2022 season. In their previous matchup, four Aggies would also score in double-digits. They finished the night shooting 50 percent from the field, 25 percent from beyond the arc, and 71 percent from the free-throw line. What was key was the Aggies' ability to score second-chance points in the paint, which would prove the same in their second matchup of the season. 

Rayquan Elliott would lead the way in scoring for the Aggies on the night and finishing with team-high twenty-four points. He would also total six rebounds, six assists, and a single steal. However, what set him apart tonight was his ability to change and set the momentum in favor of the Aggies. Elliott drained three consecutive threes late in the second half to give the Aggies a strong push towards the finish. 

Despite Langston landing themselves last in the Sooner Athletic Conference in both offense and defense, the Aggies did not have room to take them lightly. They are home to two top-15 SAC scorers in Armani Allen (3rd) and LaCorian Ballard (14th). The Aggies were not without their two superstars Rayquan Elliott and Jalen Thomas. Both rank top-10 in the SAC in scoring; Elliott ranked 6th and Thomas 8th. 

Both teams are known for their aggressive full-court press, and this game would prove no different. What set the teams apart in the first half was their efficiency scoring in the paint. While both teams would draw fouls on shots, the Lions' shots dropped while the Aggies' were not. A common theme for the Aggies has been their struggle from the free-throw line. They were shooting 50 percent in half. The lack of production from the free-throw line and their nine turnovers allowed the Lions to take an early lead and eventual ten-point lead into the half. 

The Aggies buckled down and came out red hot in the second half, having already adjusted their game plan to what the Lions were giving them. The Aggies would make six of their first ten shots in the half to drastically diminish the Lions' lead. It tied the game at fifty-nine with 10:36 left on the clock. Instead of forcing fouls down in the paint, the Aggies were able to take advantage of the Lions' lax defense and knockdown multiple threes to give themselves the edge and eventually win. Langston would threaten late in half with three's of their own, but the Aggies kept them at bay with their precise ball movement. 

The Aggies finished the game shooting fifty-three percent from the field, forty-four percent from three-point range, and fifty-two percent from the line. 
Erasing an early twelve-point lead by the Lions would battle back in the second and come out with the win. 

The Aggies continue their homestead Saturday, January 29th at 3:45 PM in Anchor D Arena.