GOODWELL, Okla. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State men's basketball team (6-21, 4-18 SAC) wrapped up its season with Senior Day on Saturday at home facing Science & Arts (11-17, 7-15), against which it was defeated, 85-64.
 
Senior Mike Carter, the lone multi-year Aggie recognized during the pregame ceremony for the OPSU men, closed his career on a high note. The guard from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, scored a career-high 23 points and tallied team-bests of eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
 
His eight-rebound, two-block performance highlighted a strong day for the Aggies in those categories, as head coach Charles Belt's team outrebounded USAO, 49-43, and recorded six blocks. Fellow senior Jibril Ndiaye notched a pair of blocks, while seniors Aaron Williams Jr. and Ja'Vian Baker also had one block apiece. Jacob Taitte rounded out the Senior Day honorees' efforts with seven boards, good for the second most on the team Saturday.
 
The Drovers led early on before back-to-back three-pointers from Christian Campbell and Baker put OPSU in front, 12-9, seven minutes into the contest. The teams went back-and-forth for a few minutes as Ederick Coleman Jr. connected from deep to give the Aggies a 17-16 advantage. The hosts' lead disappeared in a hurry, however, as USAO embarked on a 19-2 run over the ensuing five minutes.
 
Baker closed a nine-point first half out strong, but the Drovers held a commanding 42-26 edge at the break, thanks in part to an impressive mid-range buzzer beater from Chris Yapo before halftime.
 
Carter started the second half on fire, and two minutes into the period he and Baker made consecutive treys that pulled the Aggies within eight, 47-39.
 
USAO went on another run shortly thereafter, and it would not let the Aggies back into the game as the visitors sealed their spot in the SAC Tournament.
 
As Belt pulled his seniors to be recognized late in the game, Joe Hernandez came in and made an impact with a rebound and steal-plus-assist that allowed Braedyn Ellison to score in transition for the season's last bucket.
 
Baker joined Carter as the lone Aggies in double figures with 14 points. Mykel Lindsey aided OPSU's strong game on the glass with six boards, and the forward notched a game- and Aggie career-high three steals. Williams Jr. tied for a game-high three assists in his final collegiate contest.