OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University fell short to Panhandle State 90-86 on Saturday at Abe Lemons Arena.
Creed Kemp, a junior from Wewoka, Okla., supplied OCU with a season-high 16 points and five rebounds. The Stars, ranked 12th in NAIA Division I men's basketball, fell to 8-6, 3-5 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
Kemp connected on 6 of his 8 shots from the field and 4 of 6 free throws for season bests in each of those categories. Mark Howell, a senior from Grand Prairie, Texas, tallied 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals for Oklahoma City.
The Stars' Eric Wattree, a junior from Port Orchard, Wash., turned in 12 points, four rebounds and two steals, and Chris Williams, a senior from Denver, notched 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Elijah Christman, a senior from Justin, Texas, picked up 11 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Anthony Davis, a junior from Lewisville, Texas, posted 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots for OCU.
Christman buried a 3-pointer early in the second half to give the Stars a 41-40 lead with 18:06 left. Jaedon Whitfield's lay-in put Panhandle State in the lead as the Aggies remained in front the remainder of the contest. Panhandle State's largest lead of the second period was six points.
Howell sank a layup to cut OCU's deficit to 75-74 at the 2:13 mark. Kemp nailed a jumper to slice Panhandle's edge to 77-76 with 1:28 to go.
Howell's lay-in knocked Panhandle's advantage down to 88-86 with four seconds remaining. Alan Hodge Jr. hit free throws to secure the final margin.
OCU faces Texas Wesleyan at 8 p.m. Thursday in Fort Worth, Texas.