GOODWELL, Okla. – Despite shooting 40 percent and getting a near double-double from Makhtar Fall (Morocco/Ecole Al Jabr), the Western New Mexico University men's basketball team fell to Oklahoma Panhandle State University, 78-57, in the season opener for both teams Friday night.

OPSU came out on fire taking an early 8-0 lead. WNMU answered with their own 8-0 run as Fall triggered the rally with a dunk off a pass by Brandon Tanter (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep). Fall would tally the next four points before Adam Kesler (Silver City, NM/Silver) closed the spurt with a layup five minutes into the opening half to knot the game at eight.

That would end up being the only tie of the game as a 10-0 run by OPSU put them ahead for good. The Mustangs fought back to within six points near the midway point of the half on a pair of foul shots by Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy ).

A Steven Loucks (Yuma, AZ/Cibola) layup at the 8:15 mark helped bring WNMU back to within six at 22-16 when the Aggies would close the half on an 18-10 run to open a 40-26 lead at the break.
OPSU started the second half just like they did the game beginning with a 12-3 run over the first three minutes to open a 52-29 lead.

The Mustangs worked their way back to within 18 a few times down the stretch, but that would be as close as they would get the rest of the way.

WNMU held the edge on field goal percentage connecting on 22-55 (40), while OPSU took 20 more shots making 28-75 (37.3). WNMU also held the edge in rebounds (49-34). The Mustangs struggled with ball control turning it over 37 times, while OPSU committed 19 turnovers. The Aggies also held a 9-1 advantage on three-pointers made.

Fall had a solid debut for the Mustangs leading the team in both points with 14 and rebounds with nine. He also added three blocks. Brandon Williams (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep) added nine points and seven rebounds, along with three assists, a block and a steal.

Melvin Mitchell paced the Aggies with 19 points. Zoran Arsenovic added a double-double going for 14 points and 10 rebounds.

WNMU and OPSU will turn around and play another game Saturday night beginning at 4 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.