GOODWELL, Okla. — Solid defense and a 46-point second half led the Oklahoma Panhandle State men's basketball team to a 78-70 home victory over Paul Quinn College (7-8, 1-3 HBCU) Sunday afternoon, snapping an eight-game skid to ring in 2026 on a positive note.
 
Head coach Charles Belt's squad featured five newcomers, two of whom were active Sunday, bringing new energy to the Aggies as they raced out to a 15-point lead 10 minutes in.
 
The early 24-9 advantage was built on dominant rebounding, forcing turnovers and the hot shooting of Christian Campbell, who finished with a game-high 25 points.
 
OPSU hit an offensive lull during the next 10 minutes, but it survived a drought of over six minutes without a field goal when Ederick Coleman Jr. made a layup with 3:57 to play, keeping the hosts ahead, 27-23. Paul Quinn had a late flurry, responding to a late three-pointer from Mike Carter in the half with a triple of its own to go up 34-32 at halftime.
 
Panhandle State continued to see full-court defensive pressure in the second half that originally came at the Aggies beginning midway through the first period, but OPSU broke the press with ease to begin the final frame.
 
Newcomer Ja'Vian Baker was active on the glass as the Aggies' offense came to life, soon aided by his own layup followed by an assist to Campbell for a three-pointer that put OPSU in front, 44-41. Moments later, with just under 10 minutes to go, Coleman's trey gave the home team its largest lead of the game, 61-45.
 
Though Paul Quinn made things semi-interesting down the stretch, Mykel Lindsey – who filled up the stat sheet all night – knocked down a couple buckets while he, Jacob Taitte and company helped seal the win with tenacious defense and rebounding.
 
OPSU closed the game with a 42-28 advantage on the glass, and it shot 65.4% in the second half. For the game, Panhandle State netted a season-high 51.8% of shots from the field. It also rejected a season-best seven Tiger shots.
 
Behind Campbell's 25, Aaron Williams Jr., Baker and Coleman each had 10 points. Baker also contributed 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal to the Aggies' totals.
 
Similarly, Lindsey finished with eight rebounds, four assists and a block, while Carter helped out on the glass with seven boards and a block.
 
What's up next: Panhandle State (2-10, 0-7 SAC) returns to Sooner Athletic Conference action Thursday on the road at Science & Arts (5-8, 1-6). Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.