GOODWELL, Okla. – McMurry University's women's basketball team will embark on its final regular season road trip of the season, beginning with a Thursday evening (Feb. 21) tilt versus Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. as the front end of a women's-men's doubleheader versus the Aggies.

The game can be heard live in the Abilene area on KZQQ 1560 AM, as well as via the many stations on the War Hawk Radio Network. Fans can also listen live via the internet (www.hprnetwork.com).

In the last meeting between the War Hawks (9-13) and Aggies (4-19) – back on January 24 in Abilene - McMurry used a strong defensive effort – combined with a second-half blitz – to soundly defeat Oklahoma Panhandle State, 68-41, at Kimbrell Arena. McM out-rebounded OPSU by a 49-40 margin, while also making 12 steals and forcing a total of 22 turnovers by the visitors. McMurry also blocked a total of five shots.

OPSU hung close through the first 14 minutes of the game, actually enjoying an early four point lead (12-8). However, with 5:47 left to go in the first half, a jumper by McM's Keshia Collins put her team up 20-18 and the War Hawks would never trail again the rest of the night. Collins was the only War Hawk to score in double figures, booking 16 points, bolstered by an 8-of-8 night from the free throw line. Collins had a game-high eight rebounds and five steals, as well.

The balanced McMurry offensive contributions were aided by nine points each from senior Rikeita Thomas and freshman Taylor Russell, who came off the McM bench.  Russell also pulled down six rebounds.

Collins, a junior, tops the McM scoring this season at 13.5 points per game, while also topping both the War Hawks and the Heartland Conference in steals (3.0 s.p.g.). Collins also ranks among the Heartland leaders in free throw percentage (3rd/80.9 percent) and blocked shots (6th/0.9 b.p.g.).

Collins needs 34 more points to reach the 1,000 plateau for her career. She also needs 20 more rebounds to top 500 boards for her career in the Maroon and White.

Thomas (9.5 p.p.g.) and Vickers (6.6 p.p.g.) rank second and third, respectively, in scoring for Mcm. Vickers is second only to Collins among the teams active players in rebound average.

Freshman Claire Bruffey (5.4 p.p.g.) and senior Jamie Wilson (5.1 p.p.g.) round out McMurry's leading scorers.

OPSU is on a seven-game skid that, ironically, started when it last lost to McMurry. The Aggies are coming off of a 61-50 setback at Arkansas-Fort Smith last Saturday. In that game, Rosa Quinonez had 18 points for OPSU.

Like McMurry, the Aggies also have one player averaging double-figure scoring in Whitley Coca at 15.0 p.p.g. Coca averages 4.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

Four other OPSU players – Sarah Johnson (7.9.p.p.g.), Meagan Bell (6.5 p.p.g.), Da'Veonna Munson (6.2 p.p.g.) and Sharice Papaleo (5.4 p.p.g.) all average better than 5.0 points per contest.