GOODWELL, OKLA. - Senior Brandon Jackson had a game-high 20 points and cashed in his second double-digit free throw performance of the season going 11-for-12 from the line as the Oklahoma City men's basketball team captured a gritty 78-75 win inside Anchor D Arena over Oklahoma Panhandle State on Saturday afternoon. 

Avery Jackson came one three-pointer short of tying his season high as the sophomore went 4-for-9 from downtown and tallied 18 points and four rebounds. Freshman Yorgio Golesis was the third and final Star to reach double-figures with 11 points while shooting 5-of-12 from the field and reached his second-highest assist total with six dimes.  

Although trailing the game by two at the break, 41-39, Oklahoma City immediately took back the lead on its first offensive possession as freshman Beau Tranter knocked down a three to help get the Stars going. After taking a five-point lead on an Avery Jackson triple Oklahoma City stayed on top for the next 13 minutes of play before OPSU regained the lead on a Boston Douglas lay-in. 

As the lead traded hands down the stretch the Aggies went up 75-72 with 2:01 to go securing its largest lead since the 17:50 mark back in the first half. Coming down the floor Parker Jones grabbed a big offensive rebound to go along with a putback that placed the Stars down by just one with a minute and a half to play. 

Still holding the Aggies in place, Avery Jackon got the ball out in transition for a fastbreak layup which put Oklahoma City in the lead with 26 seconds to go. The OCU defense continued to put the clamps down on the defensive end drawing a stop which led to a pair of free throws by Brandon Jackson which put the Stars up by three with eight seconds on the clock. 

Oklahoma City needed one more stop which they got after forcing a missed three by Joe Greaves which could have forced overtime but instead solidified a Stars victory as OCU held Panhandle scoreless for the final 2:01 of the game. 

OPSU had five players score in double-figures, however the other four participants were held without a point as the Aggies saw an efficient day from the field (47.5 perfect) and from three (46.2 percent) despite having a dreadful day at the charity stripe shooting just 54.2 percent from the foul line.  

Oklahoma City sank 10 shots from beyond the arc as Brandon and Avery Jackson combined for seven threes as Nick Bonifay, James Cloud, and Beau Tranter pitched in for the other three.  

With the win, Oklahoma City wins its third straight over OPSU and sweeps the season series after earning a win back on Dec. 9 inside Abe Lemons Arena by a score of 80-78 as the all-time series record moves to 8-5 in favor of the Stars. 

OCU returns home on Thursday night, Feb. 8 as the Stars host Southwestern Assemblies of God at 7:45 PM inside Abe Lemons Arena.