In a thrilling matchup against the 16th-ranked team in the nation, the Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) women's basketball team demonstrated tenacity and skill, despite ultimately falling to John Brown University (JBU) with a final score of 59-41.

The game showcased OPSU's methodical gameplay from the opening quarter, where they trailed narrowly at 11-9. The Golden Eagles, living up to their national ranking, dominated the second quarter with 23 points, leading to a halftime score of OPSU 21 - JBU 35.

OPSU showcased sharpshooting from beyond the arc, boasting a 37% three-point shooting accuracy in the first half compared to JBU's 32%. Despite this impressive statistic, turnovers proved to be a challenge for the Aggies, with John Brown capitalizing on the mistakes and scoring 16 points off turnovers for the game.

Heidi Rodruguez led the Aggies in scoring with 9 points, shooting 3-6 from three-point range. Jana Radovanovic, Mariah Williams, and Sierra Tate each contributed 8 points, with Mariah Williams also making her presence felt on the boards with 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Alex Kimble showcased a solid performance with 5 rebounds and 3 points, while Diana Santos contributed with 6 rebounds and 2 steals.

Head Coach Maria Wiltzius, in her post-game interview, commended her team's effort, stating, "Playing the 16th team in the nation is a tall task, but these girls competed. We have a long ways to go, but I like how hard we are playing. Now we have to start making teams pay when they make mistakes, because every time we made a mistake on the defensive end, John Brown makes you pay. That's why they are top 25. We are growing every day, and today was a great test. Saturday, we will be ready to go."

Looking ahead, OPSU will face Oklahoma City University on Saturday, Feb. 3rd, at 2 PM at home.