GOODWELL, Okla. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State men's basketball team (5-18, 3-15 SAC) started fast but went cold as the game wore on in Monday's 53-44 defeat versus Central Christian College (9-15, 5-13).
 
The Aggies carried the swagger of a team attempting to complete a sweep of its three-game home stand and keep momentum building toward a late playoff push in the early going, as they jumped out to a 13-0 lead just over four minutes in.
 
All five of OPSU's field goals were assisted on in the 13-0 run to start, with Mike Carter, Kensington Grant-Brown and Christian Campbell each burying triples.
 
Central Christian chipped away throughout the rest of the half, but Jacob Taitte and company got enough shots to fall inside to keep the Aggies in front, 30-29, at the half.
 
Much of the success OPSU had early on could be attributed to a 23-11 rebounding edge, led by Campbell with seven boards through 20 minutes. That advantage helped Panhandle State lead in second-chance points, 9-2, at the break.
 
A putback from Mykel Lindsey to open the second half briefly increased the home team's lead to three, but the Aggies went ice cold over the next 10 minutes, falling behind 44-34.
 
Ederick Coleman Jr. fueled a 9-2 run with a triple and a jumper, bringing OPSU to within 46-43 with just over six minutes to play. The buckets stopped falling, however, and Panhandle State would score just one more point the rest of the way.
 
Taitte was solid on both ends of a physical matchup throughout the night, notching team highs of eight points, three assists and two blocks while snatching six rebounds.
 
What's up next: The Aggies look to keep their slim SAC Tournament hopes alive when it heads to the road Thursday at Southwestern Christian (7-16, 5-13).