GOODWELL, Okla. — Facing a team coming off a tight NAIA National Tournament loss a season ago in Bethel (1-0) for opening night, the Oklahoma Panhandle State men's basketball team (0-1) won the second half but couldn't overcome a tough start in a 94-68 loss.
 
The Threshers brought full-court pressure into Anchor D Arena, and the Aggies could not solve it early enough in a turnover-laden opening five minutes. OPSU also struggled to convert on treys and at the rim to start the game, as the visitors got out to a 50-16 lead.
 
Panhandle State cut into the deficit before halftime with a 7-0 burst, thanks in part to Christian Campbell's second three-pointer of the night.
 
The Aggies attacked the pressure it faced in the second half much better, quickly bringing the deficit to 20 at 56-36 with a variety of scorers contributing.
 
A pair of free throws and a triple from Aaron Williams Jr. with a dozen minutes to play brought OPSU to within 18, but that would be all the closer the hosts got in the defeat.
 
Williams Jr.'s night included a team-high four assists, none of which were finer than an alley-oop to Mykel Lindsey for a skyscraping jam in the second half. Williams Jr. also had 13 points and a trio of three-pointers made.
 
Campbell led the Aggies in scoring with 19, and he tied Mike Carter for the team lead in steals with two. Carter also contributed 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.
 
Lindsey was a force off the bench with 12 points, three rebounds and an assist, block and steal apiece.
 
OPSU shot its free throws well, going 17-of-20 from the charity stripe. The Aggies cleaned up the turnovers as well in the second half – of which they won 45-44 – with only five giveaways over the final 20 minutes.
 
What's up next: OPSU is back at home on Halloween night to host Bethany College (0-0) at 5:30 p.m.