Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) women's basketball team faced off against the University of Science and Arts (USAO) Drovers. Unfortunately, the Aggies fell short, with the Drovers securing a dominant victory with a final score of 92-30.
The first quarter of the game showcased OPSU's resilience as they managed to keep the contest close, trailing 13-9. However, the first half concluded with the Drovers leading 31-18. The Aggies faced challenges, surrendering 11 offensive rebounds and committing 10 turnovers.
The turning point came in the second half, as the Drovers intensified their efforts, scoring an impressive 30 points in the third quarter and 31 points in the fourth quarter alone. Head Coach Maria Wiltzius expressed her disappointment after the game, acknowledging the team's failure to rise to the challenge in the second half.
"I will tell you what I told the girls, that was embarrassing. We knew they were going to come into our gym ready to fight. We beat them last time, and they said that loss ruined their season. So of course, they want to come get revenge. We did not step up to the challenge in the second half. We battled early then quit playing hard. Lots to be learned from this game. Onto the next," commented Coach Wiltzius.
Despite the tough loss, the Aggies had Jana Radovanovic lead the team in scoring with 8 points, and Nyathiel Wal, providing valuable contributions off the bench with 7 rebounds and 4 points.
Looking ahead, OPSU is gearing up for "Senior Night" on February 10th at 2 PM, where they will face Texas Wesleyan. The game will honor Sierra Tate, the lone senior for OPSU, and promises to be a special occasion for the team and fans alike.
