Top Two Conference Teams Take Out OPSU Men

The Oklahoma Panhandle State University men's basketball team (5-20, 1-11 HC) took on the top two teams in the Heartland Conference last week and gave up wins to Newman University (19-4, 9-3 HC) on Feb. 14 and the University of Arkansas-Ft. Smith (14-9, 9-3 HC) Feb. 16.

On Thursday in Wichita, the Jets took command of the court quickly, putting up 11 points in the first six and a half minutes of play while holding the Aggies scoreless. T. J. Farrell put OPSU on the board with a jump shot, but Newman used their momentum to surge ahead, going into the half with a 34-19 advantage. The Aggies tried to cut into the lead, but their efforts only got them within 10 points as the Jets cruised to the win. For OPSU, Damar Hill scored 14 followed by Krys Randolph with 12 and Tavien Rosemond and Bill Lee with nine each. Farrell added five points and brought down six rebounds.

The Saturday contest with UAFS started out with the two teams fighting for the lead in the first eight minutes. The Jets put in two points to start the scoring, Rosemond tied it up and then a Krys Randolph steal set up Michael Patterson for a two-point Aggie lead. The Jets tied it right back up, but Rosemond stole the ball and put in a trey for a three-point lead which the Jets answered with their own shot beyond the arc for the third tie in three minutes. Two ties later, Chris Capinia hit two from the charity stripe to put OPSU up by two. Following a layup from Rosemond, the Aggies trailed by one with 7:45 left in the half. UAFS suddenly started directing the action, scoring 24 points to OPSU's seven to lead 43-23 going into the break.

The second half was all UAFS as the Jets continued their domination to earn the 42-point win. Four Jets scored in the double digits, led by Dijon Farr with 19. For the Aggies, Capinia and Farrell put in 10 each followed by Krys Randolph with eight. Bill Lee led OPSU in rebounds with five.

The men return to Oscar Williams Field House this week for two final home games for the season. On Thursday, Feb. 21, the men play McMurry University (14-8) at 7:30 and on Saturday, Feb. 23, seniors will be honored prior to the game against St. Edward's University (14-14, 3-7 HC) at 4 p.m.