GOODWELL, Okla. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State men's basketball team (1-7, 0-4 SAC) came all the way back from an early 17-point deficit to take a one-point advantage in the second half Thursday night versus RV Texas Wesleyan (5-3, 2-2) before ultimately falling, 77-62.
 
The Rams looked every bit the part of an elite SAC squad to begin the game as they led 18-2 less than eight minutes into the contest.
 
OPSU chipped away as the first half went on with Aaron Williams Jr., Jacob Taitte and Christian Campbell each taking turns scoring the rock.
 
Behind 35-26 with 3:41 to play in the opening period, the Aggies held TWU scoreless from that point through the intermission, trailing by four at 35-31 as a raucous Anchor D Arena encouraged the home team into the halftime locker room.
 
Texas Wesleyan quickly went back up by seven points to start the second half, but back-to-back threes from Williams Jr. and Kensington Grant-Brown re-energized Panhandle State.
 
The building then got rocking on and-one dunk from Mykel Lindsey with 14:37 remaining, and his free throw pulled the Aggies ahead by one, 45-44, as part of a 40-22 extended run from the hosts.
 
Fouls started to add up for OPSU in its upset bid, however, and the Rams were too efficient down the stretch to match.
 
Williams Jr. scored a game-high 24 points, aided by his 5-of-8 performance from beyond the arc. He also secured six rebounds.
 
Campbell chipped in 11 points on three made triples, while Taitte was steady with 10 points and a game-best nine rebounds.
 
Taitte and Grant-Brown tied for the team-lead with two steals apiece.
 
The final team stats were relatively even, though the Rams doubled up the Aggies in free-throw attempts and were much more efficient from the field, shooting 54% for the game.
 
What's up next: OPSU concludes its homestand on Saturday at 4 p.m. with a matchup versus No. 18 Nelson (7-2, 3-1).