PLAINVIEW, Texas — The Oklahoma Panhandle State men's basketball team (3-14, 1-11 SAC) battled Wayland Baptist (14-4, 8-4) tough on the road Monday night but ultimately fell short, 92-82.
 
Less than two months after a lopsided home defeat to the Pioneers, the Aggies kept within striking distance all night against the conference's current fifth-place team, even holding a slim lead late in the first half.
 
Panhandle State recovered from a tough start that saw it trail 16-6 early. The visitors then took turns firing – and making – three-pointers, going in front 22-20 just under the 10-minute mark of the first half. Ja'Vian Baker, Ederick Coleman Jr., Christian Campbell and Kensington Grant-Brown each made triples to rejuvenate the Aggies' spirits.
 
After falling behind multiple possessions again, Mykel Lindsey and company were aggressive attacking the hoop, briefly retaking a 36-34 edge with 3:42 to play in the half. WBU then closed the opening period strong, making it 44-41, Pioneers, at the intermission.
 
A swarming halfcourt defense by the home team made it tough for OPSU to find its stride to open the second half. Trailing by six, the Aggies soon found success utilizing a skip pass to open shooters beyond the arc, as Coleman, Campbell and Baker each connected on triples to bring the visitors within three, 55-52 with 15 minutes left.
 
The Panhandle State offense dried up again, though, allowing Wayland Baptist to regain control, 68-55 with eight minutes remaining.
 
Williams Jr. cut the deficit to nine by hitting a pair of treys in a three-minute span, and Mike Carter and Lindsey asserted toughness inside to bring the score to 73-67 in the final four minutes. Clutch buckets by Campbell kept the Aggies alive late, but OPSU couldn't get the stops required to steal a win.
 
Campbell paced the Aggies with 28 points, followed by Williams Jr. with 13. The sharp shooters made four shots apiece from three-point range.
 
Lindsey notched his third double-double of the year with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Carter rounded those out in double figures with 10 points as well.
 
Shooting variance sunk the Aggies in a well-played contest, as the Pioneers shot 57.9% from the floor compared to the visitors' 39.1% accuracy.
 
What's up next: OPSU returns from its single-game road trip to play host to No. 7 Langston (14-4, 9-3 SAC) on Thursday at 8 p.m.