FORT WORTH, TX - The Oklahoma Panhandle State men's basketball team finished their week 2-1 as they defeated the Texas Wesleyan Rams 70-69. Three Aggies would see double-figures in the game, yet the Aggies win came at the hands of
Rayquan Elliott, who laid up a contested shot with less than ten seconds left to put the Aggies up with no chance for the Rams to answer back.
Head Coach
Mark Laird is more than impressed with how his team has played down the stretch heading into the conference tournament. "We knew this was going to be a very physical game. TWU is a very tough, very good, and very well coached team! We talked about being mentally and physically tougher in order to win this game. We defended at a high level and executed our game plan. Any SAC road win is a good win. We fought hard for this one."
"It will feel good to head home for our final two games of the regular season."
The Aggies (11-14, 8-12 SAC) look to find their way into hosting a postseason game as they finish off the last two weeks of conference play as they match up with the (RV) Texas Wesleyan Rams (18-9, 10-8).
Rayquan Elliott would maneuver his way through the tough Rams defense to put the Aggies up by one and eventually give them the win. The Aggies successfully scored in the paint, created possessions off turnovers, and knocked down second-chance points.
Once again,
Jalen Thomas would lead the Aggie offense in total points with twenty-five; however, everyone who saw the floor for the Aggies played their role in the win.
Justin Pile only totaled six points in the game. However, he led the team in total rebounds, which allowed for essential possessions for the Aggies. It was a premier night for the Aggies as they faced the number three offense in the conference, averaging only 69.6 points against per game.
The Aggies saw some shooting struggles early in the first half. They only shot thirty-three percent from the field to the Rams' forty-five. However, the Aggies' ability to drive into the paint and draw fouls prevented the Rams from taking an insurmountable lead in the half. With eight Rams fouls in half, allowing the Aggies eleven free-throw opportunities, the Aggies were poised to stage a comeback.
Ahmed Moustafa makes himself known down on the blocks in this half junior center as he led Aggie scorers with nine.
The second half came out all Aggies. With their usual full-court press, the Aggies were able to force mismatches with the Rams and generate turnovers leading to points and allowing them to erase the lead the Rams had built up steadily. With a significant size differential between the Rams and the Aggies, pushing the floor for the Aggies was their best option. The Rams seemed to concede this new strategy as the Aggies would strive for points in the paint for the remainder of the game. They were finishing with thirty-eight points in the paint.
The Aggies took advantage of the lax Rams defense with their primary scorers
Jalen Thomas and
Rayquan Elliott. Two Aggies would run the floor with their speed and abilities to make acrobatic shots and create space for said shots. Both would lead the Aggies from a twelve-point deficit to drop the Rams 70-69.
The Aggies return to Anchor D Arena for their final two home games of the regular season starting Thursday. February 17th against the University of North Texas at Dallas Trailblazers at 7:45 PM.
