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The Opponent:
Oklahoma Panhandle State (1-1, 0-1 SAC): January 11, 2021 at 8 p.m. at Sid Richardson Center | Live Video

Game Notes (PDF)

About the Rams:
TXWES (3-1, 0-1 SAC) looks to bounce back after a nailbiting three-point loss to WBU on Saturday that snapped a three game streak by the Rams.

The Rams are led in scoring by senior Vydal Bradford averaging 18 ppg, followed closely by Peyton Sallee with 17.3 ppg. Sallee is also the team's assist leader at 3 apg and steals leader swiping a total of 7 this season. Ryan Flores leads TXWES at the glass with 6.5 rpg.

As a team, the Rams are ranked in the NAIA top-15 in three statistical categories. They are No. 12 in Scoring Offense per Game (92.5), No. 14 in Steals per Game (10.3), and No. 15 in 3-Pt Fg Made per Game (11.0).

On the NAIA individual leaderboard, Sallee is ranked No. 4 in 3-Pt Fg Pct (65.0) and No. 6 in Field Goal Pct (72.4). David Shepard ranks No. 15 in Free Throw Pct (91.7). He has shot 11-for-12 from the stripe this season.

Last Time Out:

The Rams fell in a 78-75 loss to Wayland Baptist during the Sooner Athletic Conference opener on Saturday evening.

TXWES led by as much as 18 points in the second half after shooting 48 percent with six 3-pointers in the first. But the Pioneers got hot, improving to 59 percent from the field, 60 percent from the arc, and 81 percent from the line in the second to catch TXWES in the final minutes.

WBU's comeback was set off by a 18-2 run over four minutes to grab their first lead with three minutes remaining while the Rams slipped to 35 percent shooting.

The game tied three times, and TXWES grabbed the 75-72 advantage with one minute to go via a Peyton Sallee trey assisted by Ryan Flores. But it would be the Rams final basket as they missed their next four opportunities bringing WBU the win.

Sallee led TXWES with 17 points, and Flores added 14 points and 7 rebounds. Vydal Bradford had 11 points and 3 steals

Scouting the Aggies:

OPSU men's basketball did not have an answer for a deft shooting game by NAIA No. 22-ranked Southwestern Assemblies of God University during the SAC opener on January 9.

OPSU got off to a good start leading in the first four minutes of the game, but after that juncture, the Lions went on a 9-0 run and closed the half by out-scoring OPSU 45-24 and roaring to a 54-34 halftime lead. The SAGU squad made 11 of their 13 three-point baskets in the first half, giving the Aggies a big hill to climb.

Panhandle State hung close to the nationally-ranked Lions in rebounds, where SAGU held a narrow 37-36 advantage, and shooting percentage (48% to 46%). The Aggies had 38 points in the paint, while SAGU had 34.

Pile led all scorers with a 16-point game. Pile made good on 6-of-8 field goal attempts, including hitting 4-of-5 free throw tries. Pile scored all of his points in the first half.

DK Sumo IV was Panhandle State's only other player to reach double-digit scoring with 11 points. Sumo was 5-of11 from the floor. He also dished off two assists and pulled down six rebounds.

Freshman Jalen Thomas topped the Aggies with seven rebounds, also booking eight points. Junior Quentin Fankhouser also added eight points to the OPSU coffers.

Previously, OPSU won their season opener 95-77 vs. Barclay College.

The team is led in scoring by Jamaal Smith (17 ppg) and Pile (16 pgg). Pile also leads the squad in rebounding (12.0 rpg).

The History:
The series is in favor of TXWES 5-2 dating back to the teams' first meeting on Nov. 25, 1978 when the Rams beat the Aggies 95-91 in overtime at a neutral site in Lawton, Okla. The Rams have won the last three matchups and most recently got a 86-67 road win on Feb. 1, 2020. TXWES has won all 3 home games in the Sid Richardson Center.

Looking Forward:
TXWES will travel for their next two games stopping first in Siloam Springs, Ark. for their 16th historical matchup with John Brown. TXWES leads the series 10-6 and is 3-4 at away games.

Then the Rams will face USAO in Chickasha, Oklahoma where they are 4-4 against the Droverstock. Overall the Rams trail the series 11-13.