Silver City, NM -- For the second time of the season Panhandle State University's Women's basketball team handed Western New Mexico a Heartland Conference loss, but this time WNMU was the host. The Lady Aggies defeated WNMU 86-80 at Drag's Court improving their record to 12-10 (6-2 HC) while the Mustangs fell to 2-16 (1-6 HC).

While the Mustangs fell in the game, they got balanced scoring with five players breaking double figures. Crystal Smith led the Stangs with an excellent 19-point effort, going 5-of 10 from the floor and a perfect 9-of-9 from the charity stripe. Natalie Lara, who has been out much of the season due to injury returned to her old form, knocking down 17 points after going 6-of-11 from the field. The 5'5 dynamo from Anthony, NM also pulled 7 rebounds. Whitney Card matched Lara's shooting stats and tallied 16 points on the night. Tannesia Manley and Nicole Ruegsegger chipped in 11 points.

Despite the balanced scoring, the Mustangs were plagued by poor shooting, only managing 29 percent for the game to Panhandle's 52 percent.

The Aggies' Brandi Lewis led all scorers with 21 points, while Nina Klueff added 17.

The two teams will play again Saturday night at 5:30pm for a non-conference game and will be followed by the WNMU-OPSU Men's game.

OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE ST. AGGIES 86, WESTERN N.M. UNIVERSITY 80
OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE ST. AGGIES (12-10, 6-2) Brandi Lewis 5-11 7-9 21; Nina Klueff 5-14 7-8 17; Taneisha Rogers 5-8 1-2 14; Dianna Garduno 4-5 1-2 12; Bridgett Boykin 3-9 3-4 9; Sarah Furgeson 1-1 3-7 6; Michelle Kennedy 1-1 2-2 4; Laura Wilson 0-2 3-6 3; April Gahagan 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-51 27-40 86.
WESTERN N.M. UNIVERSITY (2-16, 1-6) Crystal Smith 5-10 9-9 19; Natalie Lara 6-11 2-7 17; Whitney Card 6-11 2-2 16; Nicole Ruegsegger 3-5 5-5 11; Tannesia Manley 4-8 3-6 11; Sarah Bennetts 1-9 1-5 4; Antonia Caffey 0-3 2-2 2; Tiffany Bass 0-5 0-0 0; Stefani Vallejos 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 25-64 24-36 80.

Oklahoma Panhandle Aggies..... 45 41 - 86 
Western N.M. University....... 47 33 - 80

3-point goals-Oklahoma Panhandle Aggies 11-21 (Brandi Lewis 4-9; Dianna Garduno 3-3; Taneisha Rogers 3-5; Sarah Furgeson 1-1; Laura Wilson 0-1; Bridgett Boykin 0-2), Western N.M. University 6-19 (Natalie Lara 3-6; Whitney Card 2-3; Sarah Bennetts 1-7; Antonia Caffey 0-2; Tannesia Manley 0-1). Fouled out--Oklahoma Panhandle Aggies-None, Western N.M. University-None. Rebounds-Oklahoma Panhandle Aggies 49 (Nina Klueff 14), Western N.M. University 30 (Natalie Lara 7). Assists-Oklahoma Panhandle Aggies 15 (Taneisha Rogers 5), Western N.M. University 14 (Natalie Lara 4). Total fouls-Oklahoma Panhandle Aggies 24, Western N.M. University 27. A-138