GOODWELL, Okla. — Aaron Williams Jr. scored 29 points and made a blistering nine three-pointers on 14 attempts, but the Oklahoma Panhandle State men's basketball team (1-3) otherwise struggled from the floor in a 74-68 loss Saturday evening versus Northern New Mexico (1-2).
 
The defeat wrapped up the inaugural No Man's Land Classic in Anchor D Arena, and it simultaneously concluded the end of nonconference action until mid-December.
 
Williams Jr. got the night started with consecutive three-pointers in a hot-shooting first half from deep by both squads.
 
NNMC's Harkirath Makhar and Diego Sharp each knocked down a trio of three-pointers in the opening 18 minutes, helping the Eagles to a 38-31 advantage. OPSU responded prior to the break with a three-pointer from Braedyn Ellison as the teams went to the locker room with Northern ahead, 38-35.
 
After burying five treys in the first half, Williams Jr instantly tied the game coming out of halftime with his sixth triple of the night. The three-pointer was assisted by Jacob Taitte, who recorded a block on the subsequent defensive possession and made a free throw seconds later to put the Aggies in front, 39-38.
 
The Eagles reclaimed the lead, though, and kept the Aggies at arm's length until OPSU went on a 7-0 run, capped by Taitte, to go back ahead with just over 10 minutes remaining.
 
The sides traded buckets over the next couple minutes, but Williams Jr.'s three-pointer that gave Panhandle State a 54-52 advantage with 8:26 left ended up being the last lead for the home team on the night.
 
OPSU valued possession in a low-turnover game, committing just five the entire night. Outside of Williams Jr. and Taitte, however, OPSU struggled to hit shots.
 
Ellison provided a spark off the bench with two triples on his only two shots, and reserve Braedon Edison contributed eight points and three assists.
 
Christian Campbell pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, and Kensington Grant-Brown had a career-high eight assists.
 
What's up next: OPSU is off for an extended stretch of time before it begins SAC play on the road at College of the Ozarks (1-1) on Nov. 20 at 8 p.m.