GOODWELL, Okla. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State women's basketball team (6-20, 3-18 SAC) got off to a fast start Thursday night at home but could not keep up with RV Mid-America Christian (21-6, 16-5) in a 77-55 defeat.
 
OPSU had the ball popping early with Tryssa Dowd and La'Tommas Johnson-Nash getting shots to fall inside as the teams were off to the races in a high-scoring first quarter.
 
Mar'kia Pratt connected on a three-pointer and Brooklyn Aska knocked down a jumper to give the Aggies an early 11-2 advantage through five minutes. The Evangels found their rhythm in a hurry, but OPSU continued to get good looks, thanks in part to four first-quarter assists from Johnson-Nash as the hosts trailed 22-20 after one period.
 
Panhandle State's shooting percentage dropped considerably in the second frame, though the Aggies made nine free throws in the quarter with Bray and Dowd combining to go 6-for-6 from the stripe to allow them to hang around, 37-33 at the half.
 
Already owning a dominant rebounding edge throughout the game, OPSU expanded on it with a plus-13 advantage through three quarters. Heidi Rodriguez also got going with a pair of triples in the third to highlight the Aggie offense. Unfortunately, too many turnovers led to easy buckets for MACU, and the visitors increased their lead to 62-49 heading into the fourth.
 
The Aggies closed the deficit to 10 following jumpers from Jamie Baum and Lyric Carpenter halfway through the final frame, but they would not score again as the Evangels cruised to their win.
 
Dowd tallied 16 points and 10 boards for the freshman's fifth double-double of the year. The Amarillo, Texas, native also had two blocks, pushing her total to 24 with one game remaining.
 
Rodriguez contributed a season-high 13 points with six rebounds and two assists off the bench, and Pratt rounded those out in double figures with 11. Despite missing the second half due to injury, Johnson-Nash tied for the game high with five assists.
 
What's up next: OPSU celebrates Senior Day and participates in Coaches for Autism Awareness on Saturday at 2 p.m. versus Science & Arts (18-9, 13-8). Current student-assistant coach Carolyn Olvera will be honored as part of a postgame Senior Day ceremony.