MEN'S BASKETBALL: Stumble Against Tigers in McPherson

Goodwell,Okla The OPSU Aggies men's basketball team dropped their matchup against Central Christian College (Kan.) on Thursday night, falling 65-75 in a hard-fought road contest. The Aggies trailed throughout but showed glimpses of promise despite the loss.

In their first meeting since November 14, 2024, when the Tigers bested the Aggies 82-69, the Aggies looked to avenge the previous result but struggled to find their rhythm against a tough Central Christian defense.

Game Recap

The Aggies got on the board early with a layup by Prince Adjei to tie the game 2-2, but by halftime, they trailed 30-27. Central Christian opened the second half with a 15-2 run, extending their lead to 44-29 with 16:36 left to play. Despite a strong effort to close the gap, the Aggies fell short, unable to fully recover from the deficit.

Stat Highlights

• Amaree Brown led the Aggies with 21 points, shooting 9-of-19 from the field and adding two three-pointers.
• Jerry Abushanab provided a spark off the bench, contributing 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including four three-pointers.
• Abdulh Diaby was a force on the boards, securing six rebounds with eight points and five assists.

The Aggies shot 46.0% from the field as a team but struggled from beyond the arc, converting just 26.1% of their three-point attempts. Free throws also proved challenging, with the Aggies hitting 61.9% from the line.

Coach's Corner

After the game, Head Coach Charles Belt reflected on the team's performance.

"We ate the rat poison this week," Belt said. "The worst part about having a little success is hearing about how you've arrived and how good you are. It makes you complacent. Well, hopefully, tonight was humbling. I got outcoached by a zone defense, and we did a poor job having any life as a team."

Looking Ahead

The Aggies will aim to bounce back in their next game on Saturday, January 18, when they travel to Langston, OK, to take on the #8 Langston Lions. Tip-off is set for 4:00 PM.