McPHERSON, Kan. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State men's basketball team (1-9, 0-6 SAC) got off to a fast start but did not sustain it in a 68-56 defeat at Central Christian (7-5, 2-4) Thursday night.
 
Aaron Williams Jr. and the Aggies were on fire from beyond the three-point arc to open the contest. Williams Jr. himself showed limitless range as he knocked down four buckets from distance in the game's first six minutes.
 
OPSU's first 18 points all came on treys, before a dunk by Jacob Taitte gave the visitors a 20-14 edge just seven minutes into the night. That dunk opened up the floor, as the Aggie offense started to click inside the paint over the next few minutes.
 
Panhandle State stayed in front, 28-25, with under nine minutes to go in the first half following a fast-break slam by Taitte.
 
The Aggies' torrent pace slowed considerably the remainder of the period, but the defense of Charles Belt's squad responded to preserve a 33-32 edge at the break, aided by a late layup from Christian Campbell.
 
CCCK put the clamps on to open the second period, going in front 48-35 with 12 minutes remaining before Braedyn Ellison could stop the hosts' 14-0 run with a three-pointer.
 
Moments later, Mike Carter – who made his return from injury – finished through contact to pull the Aggies back within six, 48-42, with under 10 minutes left.
 
The Tigers kept OPSU at arm's length thereafter, however, cruising to the dozen-point victory.
 
Williams Jr. closed with 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting overall to lead all players Thursday. Taitte chipped in 10 points, while Mykel Lindsey had a team-best eight rebounds and four assists.
 
What's up next: OPSU faces a tough test Saturday at 4 p.m. when it heads to No. 5 Langston (9-2, 5-1) for the final conference game of the calendar year.