Dallas Baptist University Athletics

Junior Manny Montano, who comes off the bench for the Patriots, led DBU to their second straight victory on Saturday night in Goodwell, Oklahoma.  DBU used Montano's 31 points and nine rebounds to secure the 68-67 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State University.  With the victory, the Patriots improved to 8-12 overall and 4-4 in conference play, while OPSU fell to 6-16 and 2-6. 

Head Coach Blake Flickner stated, "Tonight was probably the best game we have played all year long.  Our guys never gave up and found a way to pull out a very tough victory on the road."   

Oklahoma Panhandle jumped out to the early lead riding the hot shooting of LaChawn Anderson, who scored 19 points in the first half.  OPSU raced to a 10 point lead with 12 minutes to play when the Patriots locked down their defense and forced the Aggies to commit three turnovers in a matter of minutes.

Using the turnovers to their advantage the Patriots proceeded to go on a 14-2 run to take the lead, 24-22, with seven minutes left in the half.  The Patriots and Aggies finished off the half trading baskets; with OPSU taking a 41-38 lead into the locker room. 

The second half proved to be one of the most exciting halves of the season for the Patriots.  DBU, who made a few adjustments at the half on the defensive end of the ball, was determined to leave Goodwell with the win.  The Patriots first objective of the second half was to try and contain Anderson .  Sophomore Justin Pinckney jumped to the challenge and held the star to only two points in the second half.

The rest of the Aggies showed that they could pick up their star and hit several key shots throughout the second half.  However, DBU would not let them run away with the game and answered every field goal with one of their own.  With three minutes to play in the game the Patriots pushed their lead to five points and looked like they were in control of the game.

OPSU determined not to go down without a fight made a quick 6-0 run and took the lead, 67-66, with .34 seconds to play.  DBU took a quick timeout to draw up a play for Montano, who had led the team all night with his hot shooting.  Out of the timeout the Patriots fed the ball to Montano on the block, where he turned and took the shot but missed. He then grabbed his own rebound, shot again and missed.  With the ball bouncing around by the rim, Sophomore Brandon Wash came out of nowhere to grab the ball and dunked it to give the Patriots a lead, with seven seconds left in the game.  OPSU came down the court and drove in for the game winning shot, but Montano, who had led the team offensively all night, blocked the shot to secure the victory for the Patriots.

Wash continued his strong play by scoring nine points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dished out a team high six assist.  Pinckney added nine points, but was most effective on the defensive end by shutting down Anderson in the second half.  Senior Brian Lohrey contributed with seven points and five rebounds. 

The Patriots will be in action again on February 6, when they welcome Lincoln University to the Burg Center for a 7:00 tip.