**For Immediate Release**
Lady Aggies Lose a Close One, 55-53
by Scott Puryear of Aggie Sports on 02-10-06

Goodwell, OK - After 39-plus minutes of women’s college basketball, Thursday night’s game in San Antonio, Texas between Oklahoma Panhandle State and the University of the Incarnate Word stood at 53-53. However, Erika Pink of UIW dropped in a pair of free throws in the final seconds to give her team the 55-53 victory.

The Lady Aggies had won seven straight games going into the contest, including a 61-49 win over UIW at home on Jan. 25.

With OPSU getting the best of things on the outside and UIW holding the advantage inside, fans enjoyed quite a game Thursday night. There was, however, a major difference at the foul line, with UIW netting 19 in 24 attempts and the Lady Aggies hitting five of six. OPSU did not get a single free throw opportunity in the first half.

Brandi Lewis led the Lady Aggies in scoring with 16 points, and teammate Taneisha Rogers added 11. OPSU head coach Jerry Olson said, “Their team played better than we did, and we didn’t defend like we should have.” Olson also spoke highly of the performance of UIW senior forward Pink, who led all scorers with 27 points, including 13 of 14 free throws.

The loss dropped the Lady Aggie season record to 13-11. They are 6-3 in the Heartland Conference and are still in good shape for a spot in the league postseason tournament. They will stay in San Antonio for a Saturday game with St. Mary’s. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.