**For Immediate Release**
Lady Aggies Fall to #1 Washburn
by Scott Puryear of Aggie Sports on 12/01/05

Goodwell, OK – The Oklahoma Panhandle State women’s basketball team traveled to Topeka, Kansas with the unenviable task of facing Washburn University, ranked as the number one team in the nation in the NCAA (Division II). Washburn won the contest 94-53 and raised their record to 6-0.

The Lady Aggies started off well enough and a short jumper by Nina Kuleff gave them a 9-8 lead with four minutes gone in the game. Washburn soon came back, and with 8:40 left in the first half, led 24-12. From there, Washburn showed just why they are ranked as the best Division II team in the country, as they finished the half strongly and led 47-22 at intermission.

Washburn, a good pick for the Division II national champion, continued their excellent play in the final period, and closed strongly for the victory.

Kuleff led OPSU (now 3-3) with 14 points, Diana Garduno scored nine, while Taneisha Rogers, Brandi Lewis and Sarah Furgeson each had eight.

Lady Aggie coach Jerry Olson was impressed with Washburn and said, “We gave them too many points in the paint. When you make a mistake, they make you pay for it and that’s why they are ranked first in the country.”

Olson added that he also saw some good things from his team, who will be back in Goodwell this weekend as they host the Lady Aggie Classic on their home court. On Friday, they will go against Western State at 8:00 pm and on Saturday they will match up with St. Gregory’s at 7:00 pm.

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