Aggies Show Grit in Tough Loss to John Brown University

GOODWELL, OK. The Oklahoma Panhandle State University women's basketball team made a valiant effort on Thursday night but ultimately fell to John Brown University 70-50 in Sooner Athletic Conference action.

Despite an intense fight from the Aggies, John Brown pulled ahead early and maintained their lead throughout the game. The Aggies showcased resilience, keeping the energy high, but struggled to overcome JBU's defensive pressure and offensive efficiency.

John Brown set the tone early, outscoring OPSU 12-8 in the first quarter before extending their lead with a 22-point second quarter to take a 34-21 advantage into halftime. The Aggies fought to stay in the game, scoring 13 points in both the third and fourth quarters, but JBU's consistency on offense proved too much to overcome.

Heidi Rodriguez led the Aggies with 11 points, shooting 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Jana Radovanovic added 8 points and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes of action, while Mariah Gardner provided a spark off the bench with 8 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting. Tessa Kile contributed 6 points, knocking down two three-pointers.

OPSU finished the night shooting 32.2% (19-of-59) from the field and 30.8% (4-of-13) from beyond the arc. The Aggies capitalized on free-throw opportunities, hitting 8-of-9 from the stripe, but struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm against JBU's defense.

John Brown controlled the game on both ends, fueled by strong second and third quarters, during which they combined for 43 points. The Aggies fought hard until the final buzzer, showing determination and effort that will carry into their next matchups.

Upcoming
The Aggies will match up against College of the Ozarks on February 15, 2025, in Point Lookout, MO. Tip-off is set for 2:00 pm.