Oklahoma Panhandle State University Aggies battled their way to a hard-fought victory against Our Lady of the Lake University's Saints. The matchup, held in San Antonio, Texas, left fans on the edge of their seats as the Aggies clinched a thrilling 70-67 win.
The game got off to a quick start with the Aggies taking an early 5-0 lead, ignited by a layup from Fred Robinson IV and a 3-pointer from Joe Greaves. The Saints could not stop Fred Robinson in the first half, he 13 points by halftime. Despite their impressive performance, the first half concluded with both teams deadlocked at 36-36, setting the stage for an intense second half.
In the second half, the Aggies' defense stepped up to the challenge, holding Our Lady of the Lake University to 39% shooting from the field and a mere 18% from beyond the arc. This was a significant improvement over the first half, where the Saints shot at 46% from the field and 40% from three-point range. The Aggies' tenacious defense, combined with clutch free-throw shooting in the final minutes, secured their hard-earned victory.
One of the key factors in the Aggies' win was their dominance on the boards. OPSU out-rebounded their opponents with authority, securing 30 defensive rebounds and 15 offensive rebounds. The most striking statistic of the game was the 23 second-chance points recorded by the Aggies, compared to the Saints' meager 2.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University's scoring was a collective effort, with four players reaching double figures. Fred Robinson IV led the charge with an impressive 24 points. Joe Greaves added 16 points, along with 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Amaree Brown contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds, while Sherlock Padmore II made a significant impact with 10 points, 7 rebounds (including 5 on the offensive glass), and 2 blocked shots.
The Aggies' bench also made crucial contributions to the team's success, with Tahki Chievous delivering 4 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist. Kwessi Anthony added 9 rebounds, including 5 offensive boards, showcasing the depth and strength of the OPSU roster.
Head Coach Charles Belt, visibly pleased with his team's performance, commented, "This is Aggie Basketball! Defend Defend Defend! The buy in, grit, determination, and pride is so evident when we compete! Our guys love playing for Panhandle State! They love playing for each other and they welcome the hard work and discipline it takes to be successful. Today was another balanced effort multiple guys with double figures offensively, plus we dominated the offensive and defensive boards! We are coming home with 2 road wins! Can't wait to play in-front of our home crowd on Tuesday! Change is Here! Aggie Up!"
With this win, Oklahoma Panhandle State University advances to 2-0. The Aggies will have thier home opener at Anchor D Arena on Tuesday, October 31st, at 6 PM. Fans can look forward to an exciting "Costume Party" theme night as OPSU takes on McPherson College.
