**For
Immediate Release**
Lady Aggies Earn One Point Win over St. Edward’s
By Scott Puryear of OPSU Sports on 2/17/08
Goodwell, Okla. -- In a game between two evenly matched teams, it was as close as it could get here on Saturday night as the Oklahoma Panhandle State women’s basketball team defeated St. Edward’s 54-53. The Lady Aggies led by a single point at halftime (31-30) and each team scored 23 in the final half.
Pink was the color of choice for many of the nearly 400 spectators at the contest who were observing the NCAA sponsored “Think Pink” national promotion that calls attention to breast cancer awareness. Both teams, as well as coaches, people at the scorer’s table, and many people in the stands wore an article of pink clothing as part of the event.
In the big win, OPSU forward Alisha Sladek came through in several clutch situations and led the Lady Aggies with 13 points along with 11 rebounds that the senior fought her way through heavy traffic to get.
Megan Hamilton, another senior, scored a dozen points for OPSU and nine of those came on clutch long range three-point shots when the going was very tough. Dependable junior inside player Jasmine Williams came ever so close to her 18th “Double-Double” of the season with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Senior Connie Maas has established herself as one of the hardest working players in the Heartland Conference and though she scored just two points, the 5’5 guard snared eight rebounds while surrounded by much taller players. Yadira Ortega added seven points for OPSU.
With the victory, the Lady Aggie season record jumped to 12-11 and their 5-5 conference record leaves them in contention for a strong finish in the Heartland Conference. St. Edward’s season record fell to 8-15, but their 6-4 league record still gives them a one game lead over OPSU in the conference race. St. Mary’s (10-0) and Incarnate Word (8-2) currently hold the top two spots in the league.
The Lady Aggies’ next home action will be on Thursday against another league rival – Newman University.
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