McPHERSON, Kan. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State women's basketball team (3-8, 0-6 SAC) built a 12-point cushion through three quarters but could not hold the lead Thursday evening at Central Christian College (5-7, 1-5) in a 63-59 overtime defeat.
 
After a slow start to the game for both teams, OPSU picked up the pace in the second quarter, cutting and driving through open lanes to the hoop. A three-pointer from Heidi Rodriguez highlighted the early burst to the frame as the Aggies opened a 19-12 advantage.
 
Lyric Carpenter also had her game working in the period, but it was frontcourt mate Tryssa Dowd who closed the first half with a frenzy, leading to a 33-24 halftime edge for the visitors. Dowd led all players with 11 points during the game's opening 20 minutes.
 
La'Tommas Johnson-Nash got OPSU's scoring going in the third quarter with a three-pointer, but CCCK cut its deficit to five points with 3:43 remaining in the period.
 
Johnson-Nash then effectively stopped the run with her second triple of the game, connecting from the left wing. Moments later, Johnson-Nash swung it to Rodriguez, who cashed in from the opposite wing to give the Aggies a 47-35 lead heading into the fourth.
 
OPSU's advantage was quickly cut in half to begin the final frame, although Dowd and Mar'kia Pratt stopped the bleeding with buckets in short order to increase the Panhandle State lead to eight, 51-43, with 4:26 to play.
 
The Tigers then got the stops they needed and hit on a three-pointer to tighten the game to 51-47 with under two minutes to go in regulation. A frenzied closing 30 seconds played out as Central Christian successfully played the foul game during a stretch that featured three turnovers.
 
Following a 1-for-2 trip at the charity stripe from Panhandle State with 12 seconds left that paused the score at 53-51, Aggies, CCCK raced down the court and drew a foul. The home team made both its free throws to tie the game and send the contest to overtime.
 
Dowd scored the first basket in the extra period, but the Tigers came back to gain a three-point lead. Pratt answered with a tough and-one finish to knot things up at 59-all with 59 seconds remaining.
 
Unfortunately, Central Christian seized control in the closing minute, converting for a hoop and making another pair of free throws to seal the win.
 
Dowd scored 17 and secured 11 rebounds for the freshman's third consecutive double-double. She also added three steals and a block to her totals.
 
Zamari Reece was effective throughout the contest, scoring eight points, collecting five rebounds and dishing out six assists.
 
Pratt added nine points, while Johnson-Nash and Rodriguez both made two three-pointers.
 
What's up next: OPSU plays its final conference game of the calendar year on Saturday at 2 p.m. when it stays on the road to face No. 11 Langston (9-2, 5-2).