The Cameron Collegian - January 27, 2020

Collegian T he Cameron University

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Monday, January 27, 2020

Volume 102 Issue 1

Getting involved

CU Organization Fair Payton Williams

allowed many more organizations to be involved in the fair than usual, with 22 Managing Editor organizations setting up tables in the @YoureSoVanya McMahon Centennial Complex lobby to reach out to students.

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Jan. The Organization Fair takes place 14 and 15, the Cameron University either in or just outside the McMahon Office of Campus Life hosted the Centennial Complex every year. The Student Organization Fair in the complex represents the highest-traffic McMahon Centennial Complex Lobby. area on campus for students, and the The event is usually held toward fair is an excellent recruitment tool for the beginning of each semester, but the various student organizations on Administrative Assistant for the Office campus. of Campus life Nicole Ritter said this “I think the students that go in the semester’s event was held over two MCC are active students,” Ritter said. days.

“And so when we have activities like “That way more organizations could this, it encourages them to participate be involved,” Ritter said. “Maybe some in things on campus.” of them couldn’t make it on a Tuesday, Student involvement is key to all so they were able to make it on a of organizations presenting at the Wednesday. It gave the organizations fair. With all the foot traffic, the goal more flexibility.” of every organization member is to Splitting the event over two days do whatever in their power to make

students stop and take interest.

To that end, Office of Campus Life Coordinator Leslie Cothren spoke about what she considered to be effective methods Organizations could use to draw attention to their tables and to their message.

“I think the ones that are the most successful are the ones where the students working the tables kind of reach out,” Cothren said. “Lots of times, when we have the Organization Fair, students will stand behind the table, expecting students to walk up to them, and we always try to encourage them to stand in front of the tables, and greet students. They don’t come to you, you come to them.”

Several organizations also provided various visual aids and activities for passing students, in order to directly engage with the people at their tables.

Some of the presentations that

stood out included Cameron Campus Ministries’ table, whose table included both a map of the U.S. and a map of the world with pins that students could place to show where they came from, and the PAC table, where representatives presented fliers advertising their upcoming Bossaball event and excitedly explained what exactly Bossaball is.

Ritter took time to speak about what the importance of the Organization Fair is to the campus as a whole.

“Each organization has a mission,” Ritter said. “And the Organization Fair allows the organizations to reach students with their mission, goal, or agenda.”

For more information on the various organizations on Campus, and their upcoming events, contact the Cameron University Office of Campus Life at 580-581-2217.

Photos by Stacie Larsen

What’s Inside CU News preview Page 3

Opinion: Nicotine Laws Page 4

1917 Review Page 5

2

News

January 27, 2020

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Powwow

Native American St udent Association

2nd Annual

Graphic by Madison Lyda

At 12 p.m. on Jan. 11, the Cameron University Native American Student Association (CU NASA) Copy Editor hosted its second annual powwow in the McCasland Ballroom of the McMahon Centennial Complex.

The powwow lasted until 10 p.m., showcasing various dances, contests and games from Native American culture. At 5 p.m., CU NASA provided a buffet-style dinner for free through Sodexo catering.

During the breaks between activities, vendors sold art, and MC Hah-Tee Delgado shared stories with the audience.

CU NASA President and Allied Health junior Fawn Tsatoke said she felt moved by the meaning behind the event, especially with the scalp and victory dances.

“The powwow was like a celebration of all of the things that we’ve been able to do from last year,” Tsatoke said. “That was probably the first time those dances or those songs have been performed or heard on that land, as opposed to land before Cameron was here and before Lawton was here.

“All throughout Lawton,” Tsatoke said, “before anything was here, our ancestors — our people — were here.

To me, that means a whole lot. That fact that this is a place of education, it was kind of like saying ‘thank you, we made it — we’re still here.’”

Comanche Nation Princess and Radiology junior Ashleigh Mithlo said she felt pleased with the event.

“I’m glad to see everyone so willing to come out and show their support for us, here, at Cameron,” Mithlo said. “They’re willing to help us work toward what we want and raise awareness for the native youth — that you can go to college and you can achieve your dreams as long as you’re willing to work for them. So, it’s just amazing to see all the support come out.”

CU NASA collaborated with several other organizations to make the event a reality, including the Kiowa Women Warriors, Gamma Delta Pi OU and Riverside Indian School. Comanche Nation Prevention/ Recovery, Comanche Nation Reintegration and Cameron’s Student Government Association

sponsored the event.

Tsatoke said this powwow went even smoother than the first one.

“We started planning at the beginning of the fall semester,” she said. “We tried to hit every aspect that we could in such a short period of time, which is why we started at an earlier time.

“I’m so glad we were able to bring it to Cameron,” Tsatoke said.

“We wanted people to hear the music. We wanted them to see our interactions with one another.”

Communication, English and Foreign Languages Assistant Professor Dr. Carie Schneider said she was impressed by the audience turnout and the students’ performances.

“It was really great to see how many people came out for this, even though we had some bad weather in the morning,” Schneider said. “There’s a really wonderful community atmosphere of everyone working together.

“

duty to learn about other people here and their traditions.

“Cameron has this fantastic community, and I would love in the future to see more faculty members here,” Schneider said. “I want to see some of my colleagues come to these student events, and I want other Cameron students and other Cameron faculty and staff to come see this community that we have here because it’s awesome.

It’s the heart of who we are.”

For people who feel intimidated by attending cultural events like a powwow, Mithlo said no one has to feel lost or like an outsider.

“Don’t be afraid to ask someone,” she said, “because more than likely they’re willing to share with you and help you, especially if you’re new to this arena and everything about a powwow. We’re all about sharing our culture and letting people know what it is.”

Tsatoke also said she loves when people can set aside their differences and talk.

“Everything goes

Before anything was here, our ancestors — our people — were here. To me, that means a whole lot.

That fact that this is a place of education, it was kind of like saying ‘thank you, we made it —

we’re still here.

“

Brittany Otero

Fawn Tsatoke Native American Student Association President “The students are the ones who put this on,” she said. “They’re the ones who organized it; they’re the ones who put it together. Next year, I think they’re going to have all the kinks ironed out beforehand.”

To prepare for the event, Tsatoke said her goal as president was to do everything she could to encourage communication between Cameron University and the Lawton community.

“It seems like Cameron is just Cameron and nothing else, but it’s a part of Lawton,” she said. “It’s a part of this history here.

It’s become part of the land that’s it’s on, which used to be KCA tribal land, just as Fort Sill was.

“This is such a melting pot that our biggest issue is communication,” Tsatoke said, “and it’s always been communication.

And change starts with people wanting to answer questions — with people starting to want to ask questions.”

Schneider said it’s her

back to communication,” she said. “On-campus, in the community and in life.

One way or another, you’re going to come across a different type of person than you. That’s what this powwow was about. It was about information, and unity.”

Tsatoke invited Cameron students to join CU NASA if they are interested in learning more about Native American culture or simply being a part of it.

“It’s not just for Native Americans,” she said.

“Whoever wants to learn, whoever wants to join — come hang out with us because, to be honest, it’s really fun. Those students are hilarious. And we eat! We eat big meals at every meeting, and that’s cultural.”

For more information about the annual powwow or CU NASA, contact Fawn Tsatoke at fawn. tsatoke@cameron.edu.

3

Student Life

January 27, 2020

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Photo by Cam Alsbrook Ready for Action: Journalism and Media Production (JRMP) sophomore DaLynna Wood (left) and JRMP Junior Luis Ramirez de Arellano (Right) co-host an episode of CU News. CU News keeps students informed about Cameron events with student-made media coverage.

Going live with CU News Cam Alsbrook

Student Life Editor CU News is a broadcast program serving as a part of Cameron’s Journalism and Media Production (JRMP) curriculum.

The broadcast team offers opportunities for students of all academic walks to learn how to work any position in a professional studio setting.

People involved in CU News collaborate to broadcast live newscasts which cover student activities and events across campus.

Senior JRMP major Katie Hall said that CU News helps give

JRMP majors a real taste of media production experience.

“It gives other students the opportunity to keep up with what’s happening around them at Cameron,” Hall said.

“Attending so many campus events is my favorite reason to work with CU News.”

“Before I joined the staff,” Hall said, “I hardly went to anything on this campus. Now, not only do I learn more about what campus life has to offer, but I get to share that with my peers while doing what I love: creating videos and taking photos.”

Senior JRMP major Danielle Carson joined

CU News as part of the Media Practicum course requirement for JRMP students.

“Honestly, I enjoy working in the studio, doing interviews, being on camera, editing — all of it,” Carson said. “I never thought I would because I never knew about it before I came to Cameron. But I’m glad that I looked into it.”

According to JRMP senior Stephanie Roberts, CU News can be daunting initially, but the resources available are plenty.

“And Dr. Matt Jenkins is always willing to help,” Roberts said.

Carson said that those resources help create a

friendly atmosphere for CU News.

“The friendships that I’ve made thanks to CU News have been like no other,” Carson said.

“We’ve learned to work as a team, and we’ve all inevitably had to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses in the studio. But because we’re discovering these things with each other, we’ve also figured out how to lift each other up when needed — and how to encourage the good stuff without focusing on the bad.”

This spring serves as Roberts’ last semester at Cameron, and she said she has enjoyed her time on staff.

“Although it can be stressful,” Roberts said, “I have had so much fun learning how to shoot a live news show, meeting different people in the program, and my time as a journalist.”

Hall initially joined CU News as part of her academic requirements, taking part in the broadcast side of practicum, while also working with the Collegian staff as one of the newspaper’s go-to photographers.

Carson said that anchoring is her favorite role for CU News.

“I talk for a living,” Carson said, “so the only difference would be that I have to put some

effort into the way I look; otherwise, it’s just as fun as working behind the mic.”

Hall said that the role of CU News is to aid in Cameron feeling like a home for students — building the campus community.

“CU News is here to connect us,” Hall said.

“Cameron is not just a place to go to school and get a degree; it’s also somewhere to meet friends and expand your knowledge through unique experiences that you may not have ever encountered had you not been here on campus.

CU News shines the light on what keeps everyone connected.”

Getting PACked for future events Adrianna Finch Student Life Editor

Cameron University’s Programming Activities Council (PAC) is a student-run organization that hosts various events for students on-campus.

PAC President Strategic Communications major Jose Olivo said that PAC tries to enhance the college experience.

“We want to help build relationships between Cameron students,” Olivo said.

“PAC helps build that sense of community Photo by Adrianna Finch you have with your school and peers. We PAC in stride: (Left to right) Programming Activities Council Officers Calista Young, Navila Shabibi, Kathrine Monaghan, do that by planning Jose Oliva and Tianna Hall listen and communicate at the PAC meeting; working to enhance the Cameron student fun events for the Bossaball is a European-inspired release of events and shirts.”

Olivo said he wanted students to students that are free sport that mixes elements of volleyball Monaghan and Olivo said they feel know that PAC is a great place for selffor all students.” and soccer; it includes an inflated excited for all the upcoming events improvement.

During the Spring 2020 Welcome court with trampolines on each side of and new members.

“Personally, I have seen a lot of Back Week, PAC presented a free the court.

“I’m looking forward to seeing growth in myself — being a part of breakfast on Jan. 6, a cupcake war Monaghan also planned a flowerthem become a part of our group the activities council,” Olivo said. “I on Jan. 7, wire writing on Jan. 8, and giving event. and us becoming one big family and think students could have the same Astonishment Artist Mat LaVore on “I am looking into getting 100 community,” Olivo said. opportunity by getting involved. This is Jan. 9. yellow roses to give out,” Monaghan Olivo and Monaghan also said one of the more open organizations to PAC Vice President Psychology said. “We are going to have paper, so that PAC is always open for more join because we do recruitment every major Kathrine Monaghan said students can write a note and give it to members. week.” the organization also hosts events a loved one or keep it for themselves.”

Olivo said that the best way for Monaghan said she wanted the throughout the semester.

Another series of events for students to join the organization is student body to know that PAC is an “We have ‘Painting with PAC’ this semester takes place during to attend a meeting and talk with accepting place. on Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the members.

“If you want to feel like you belong McMahon Centennial Complex (MCC) Homecoming Week.

“The theme for this Homecoming PAC has weekly meetings at 6:15 somewhere, this is the place to feel that,” and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Shepler Week is ‘Aggie Adventure,’” Olivo p.m. every monday in the Buddy Monaghan said.

Ballroom,” Monaghan said. “We also said. “We have all of the events Green Room, located on the second For more information about PAC, have Ultimate Bossaball on Jan. 28 in planned, but we are waiting until it floor of the McMahon Centennial email pac@cameron.edu or call (580) the Aggie Rec Center from 4 p.m. to 8 is closer to Homecoming to do our Complex. p.m.”

581-2271.

4

Voices

January 27, 2020

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Up in Smoke — a national nicotine nuisance Amanda King

Voices Editor @the_amandaking

On Dec. 20, President Donald Trump signed a bill into law that modified the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by raising the federal minimum age requirement for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21.

Moreover, while laws often take time to go into effect, it took effect immediately because this was a current amendment to an existing law.

According to U.S. News, this law also applies to the sale of electronic cigarettes and vaping products, with the intention being to stop the younger generation from getting ahold of the addicting drug.

Federal Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn has strongly advocated for this new law.

“This is a major step in protecting the next generation of children from becoming addicted to tobacco products,” Hahn said.

Well, tweeted — which seems to be the new, official method for our country’s leaders to communicate information to us.

Thank you, President Trump.

This simple statement — regardless of its less-than official dissemination — is one of the many reasons that this new law is utterly absurd.

Here, we have yet another example of how American political leaders have

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The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author.

The unsigned editorial under the heading “Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board.

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Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.

the most obtuse priorities. To start, the statement’s assumption that anyone under the age of 21 is a child is simply untrue.

At 18, you are an adult. That is what’s been true for centuries.

You can vote at 18. You can buy a gun at 18. You can enlist in the military at 18.

Or are we actually now saying that we’re sending children off to war? Because if they’re 18, but not yet 21, they are children?

Right?

Because that’s what the new law Hahn is advocating does; it raises the minimum age to buy nicotine products to 21 instead of 18. So if it’s supposed to protect the “next generation of children,” then it’s supposed to protect the next generation of those aged between 18 and 21, right? The “children.”

You are not mature enough to make your own decisions regarding tobacco products at 18 — that’s what this law says.

Keeping in harmony with the law that requires you to be 21 to buy alcohol, this makes total sense, right?

Of course you are mature enough to adopt a child at 18! Of course you can travel overseas and risk your life as part of the military at 18! You’re an adult — of course you can. You’re old enough then; you’re mature enough to make these decisions.

Especially when it suits the needs of old lawmakers.

But no, under no circumstances can you be trusted to behave responsibly around alcohol or tobacco. Those are mind-altering substances, and you are too young to navigate them effectively.

They are trying to protect you, protect your health. They know the harmful effects of tobacco, and you’re too naive, too helpless to resist them. They are acting in your best interest.

That is what this law translates to.

What’s even more ridiculous is how so many researchers — reported by Pew Research Center, Forbes, and WIRED, just to name a few — criticize the Millennial and Generation Z age brackets for being lazy, immature and socially unprepared for adult responsibilities.

But it’s laws like these are the reason so many social scientists disparage younger generations.

You can’t launch a generation of new adults at 18 with one hand and then baby them with the other. You can’t say they’re mature enough for one thing at 18 but not mature enough for another.

But let’s forget that legal contradiction for a moment.

Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that these lawmakers are genuinely concerned for the health of new adults using nicotine products. Let’s say that these new health crises emerging all over the place are definitively linked to vaping, and the use of such devices puts new adults in imminent danger.

The health concerns of tobacco aren’t new.

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN

Everyone has known for decades that cigarettes are bad for you. They can cause innumerable health problems; we know this.

But how come the government has never raised the age requirement before now?

I mean, the studies declare that e-cigarettes are bad for you, and we still don’t understand the long-term effects — but we’ve all known the long-term effects of smoking cigarettes before now. Why is a law being passed just now to regulate the sale of tobacco?

The answer is fear — isn’t it always?

Fear of what the long-term effects could be, fear of those younger than 18 gaining access to tobacco and the subsequent harm it could cause to their developing brains, fear of the booming e-cigarette industry itself.

All of these are natural, real fears. But does this law actually help anything?

No. That’s the simple, black-and-white answer.

Now, anyone under 21 who wants tobacco products will simply revert to the same methods they’ve used to acquire any other products the government deems they aren’t ready for.

Now, those under 18 — who, mind you, couldn’t legally purchase tobacco products to begin with — will continue to have their older friends purchase nicotine products for them. Strike one.

Now, those over 18 but not yet 21 — and perhaps even some under 18 — in lieu of legally buying tobacco products, will either also use older buyers, or fake IDs to procure them. Strike two.

And in addition to taking effect immediately, this new law has no grandfather clause for those who were already 18 before the law passed and were already using tobacco products. Which means those who are already addicted will undoubtedly find illegal ways to continue using such products. Strike three.

This law helps nothing. If young adults and legal adults really want tobacco products, they will find a way to get them.

Just as they have with alcohol and other illegal substances.

But really, if you’re still not convinced, here’s a strike four, just for good measure: this new law cost the federal government 1.4 trillion dollars.

Not only does it really affect nothing, but it also forces an unnecessary, colossal increase in the federal budget.

Do you know how many things our government could actually change for the better if they spent that sort of money elsewhere?

We have children detained in conditions on the U.S. border worse than most dogs in America.

We have a rapidly declining Social Security Trust Fund and limited access to healthcare.

We have an overwhelming homeless population in nearly every city in the country.

We have an overworked and understaffed public school system.

We have a potential World War III brewing in the world theater.

But thank God we spent 1.4 trillion dollars to prevent legal adults from making their own decisions.

Letters Policy

Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

Editorial Staff

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

Managing Editor - Payton Williams and Madison Lyda A&E Editors - Lea Killian and Kimberly Frey Sports Editor - David Perkins Voices Editor - Amanda King Copy Editor - Brittany Otero Student Life Editors - Cambron Alsbrook, Adrianna Finch Social Media Editor - James Rowbottom Photographers - Katie Hall, Stacie Larsen

Newsroom Staff

Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Bryan Araujo, Katie Hall, Xavier McClure, Isabel Rosales-Aparicio Circulation Manager - Bryan Araujo Faculty Adviser - Prof. David Bublitz

All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification.

Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@ cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www.aggiecentral.com.

5

A&E

January 27, 2020

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movie review Kimb Frey A&E Editor @kimbfrey

Director Sam Mendes’ recent movie release, “1917,” is making quite a buzz in the movie world for its continuous shot cinematography and raw portrayal of a day in the life of a World War I soldier trying to save lives.

“1917” opens with two soldiers under a tree, and it ends under a tree. Lance Corporal Blake, played

by Dean-Charles Chapman, receives orders to report to General Erinmore, played by Colin Firth. Lance Corporal Schofield, played by George McKay, joins Blake as his battle buddy. The General tells them that the Germans have abandoned their line to draw British soldiers into a trap. He has no way of transmitting this information to British units pursuing the Germans in their phony retreat; he must send runners.

Blake has until dawn to deliver the General’s orders to abort the attack and save 1,600 soldiers — his brother among them.

“1917” is a visual masterpiece, and the one-shot style makes the viewing experience different from your average war movie. Scenes of ethereal beauty juxtapose with the repulsive reality of battle, and the continuous shot brings viewers close enough to blot out the larger

Lea Killian

A&E Editor @talkinglea

“Do You Know Who You Are?” On Oct. 9, these words adorned ominous black signs hung in the streets across the world. To any random bystander, it must have evoked at least some type of existential crisis, but to Harry Styles fans, something more was happening.

Written at the bottoms of the signs read the only clue fans needed: “TPWK” During Styles’ first solo tour, he sold merchandise with the phrase “Treat People With Kindness” sewn into the fabric.

Just like that, Harry Styles revealed his upcoming single, “Lights Up,” a song about choosing to step into the light and celebrate individuality.

“All the lights couldn’t put out the dark / runnin’ through my heart / lights up and they know who you are / know who you are / Do you know who you are? / Shine, step into the light / Shine, so bright sometimes / Shine, I’m not ever going back.”

Following this celebratory single, Styles released “Watermelon Sugar” and “Adore You” just before his second studio album, “Fine Line,” which released on Dec. 13, 2019.

events happening around them.

This narrow focus is both an asset and a liability to the film.

It builds so much tension and utterly absorbs attention. You can’t see the whole picture, and you strain to take everything in. Events jump out at you, making you jump in your seat and blindsiding you in a way that leaves your mouth open and eyes wide — that is the point.

This limited, constant view of events gives the audience perhaps an inkling of how disorienting and uncertain such a situation would be.

However, the narrow focus proves a liability for similar reasons. You get the feeling that more is going on, but you can’t see it. Would the story benefit from showing the larger picture? Absolutely.

If the camera were to zoom out and show more of what’s going on — with Blake and Schofield, in particular — then we might have more rounded

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Styles said that much of his process in creating the album involved the use of psychedelics.

“We’d do mushrooms, lie down on the grass and listen to Paul McCartney’s ‘Ram’ in the sunshine,” Styles said.

Nothing is more indicative of that than his music video for “Adore You,” released Dec. 6, a nearly 8-minute story of a boy, played by Styles, born and raised on the fictional island of Eroda, “shaped unmistakably like a frown,” in which no one ever smiles beneath the perpetual cloud cover over the land – that is, until a very peculiar boy was born with a smile as bright as the sun.

It gets weirder.

Isolation plagues his life until his breaking point. As he wades into the sea with rocks spilling out of his pockets, he locks eyes with a fish who has washed up on one of the nearby rocks – and they become best friends.

There is a lot to unpack, but the point remains: Harry Styles is finally fearlessly himself.

Even with Styles’ newfound eccentricity, which might alienate some newer fans, his music has never been more relatable.

He sings about the intricacies of love and relationships as most artists do, yet he writes his songs in a way that seems far closer to poetry than what listeners have grown accustomed to on the radio.

He also seems to have taken a page out of Lorde’s book on the art of synesthesia, the coalescing of various senses.

On the album’s ninth track, “Sunflower, Vol. 6,” Styles showcases his budding poetry skills:

characters instead of mere men on a screen following orders. We might understand why Schofield was so reluctant to join Blake, and why he seemed outright hostile or completely unengaged at times. There are clues throughout the film, but not enough to form a close connection with a character you’ve only spent two hours with.

I can’t help but see the film as nothing more than an exquisitely executed shot. If we knew more, it could be the epic by which critics use to compare all films of the decade. But alas…

Overall, I enjoyed “1917.” It lacks in character development and has its plot-holes, but still manages to pull you in with an absorbing visual diversion and some surprises along the way.

I rate films one of three ways: 1 – I don’t like it, 2 – I like it, or 3 – I love it.

I rate “1917” as a 2. I liked it, but it’s not a film I will return to again and again.

“Sunflower, my eyes want you more than a melody.”

This album brings Harry Styles to the next level of his career. It is a culmination of the beauty found in pain and the simplicity of finally being honest with oneself.

“Fine Line” is a work of art that should not go unnoticed.

I rate this album 10/10.

HARRY STYLES Graphics by Lea Killian and Kimb Frey

FINE LINE

6

Sports

January 27, 2020

www.aggiecentral.com

Aggies Fall Short

Photos by David Perkins

Rivalry week proves arduous David Perkins

early lead in the first half. In the first quarter Sports Editor the team performed well, closely matching the At 2 p.m. on Jan. Mustangs on the board 18th in the Aggie Gym both offensively and the Cameron women’s defensively. basketball team fell MSU overtook the short in their match lead with the help of against Midwestern State a series of successful University (MSU). free-throws by MSU. The 82-77 loss capped By the end of the first off their rivalry week half the Mustangs would against the Mustangs outscore the Aggies by 2 which resulted in two points. straight losses, one The women came on the road and one at back in the third home. quarter with a strong The defeat comes performance outscoring in the face of a the Mustangs by 4 points strong performance with the help of a couple by sophomore guard of free throws delivered Maighan Hedge, who

by Maighan Hedge. The for the second time in Aggies attained a 2-point the span of three games lead just before the start achieved a career-high, of the fourth quarter. scoring 32 points in this The fourth quarter match. reflected the close The Aggies took an competition between

the two teams with three lead changes and multiple rallies that kept Cameron in the fight.

Unfortunately, the Aggies would eventually falter after hard fought competition which is the norm in the LSC close competition style.

In the end the Aggies were out rebounded by 14 points; a tough pill to swallow in a close game that could have been won with only three possessions.

Head coach Emma Andrews believes that defense needs to be the point of focus for the team at this point in the season.

“Fourteen points is a lot.” Andrews said.

“If we keep giving up second chance points we’re going to be in trouble, it’s going to be a

long year.”

Top scorer Maighan Hedge echoes that statement.

“I think we need to stop being an offensive minded team.” Hedge said. “I think we should shift our focus right now to defense.”

Hedge believes the entire team has the skills offensively to make the crucial baskets. But more work is needed by the young team to develop the defensive stopping power that will win games.

“Our defense should help create our offense rather than our offense creating our defense.”

Hedge said.

“We need to focus more on our defense because we can score it, everyone on the team can score. But we need

to stop it at the same time.” Hedge said.

“Like if we hit a three, we can’t let them go back and hit a three and that’s what we keep doing.

So, we need to start focusing on defense first and let the offense come naturally.”

The rivalry game took place in front of a packed house. The north side of the gym was reserved for and filled up by over 600 Fort Sill Soldiers in honor of Military Appreciation Day. The soldiers filled up the seats and filled in the atmosphere with thunderous support throughout the game.

Their support did not go unnoticed by anyone in the gym, including coach Andrews and the players.

“It was amazing to

have the troops here.”

Andrews said. “They were loud, they were into it and I wish we could have them here every day.”

“For me it was inspiring. I really appreciate what they do for the country and I appreciate them being here tonight. It was a good atmosphere and they were really good for the team.”

Maighan Hedge also said that the feeling from the soldiers was palpable.

“They were so loud tonight.” Hedge said.

“It almost gives you goosebumps hearing a big crowd like that. It helped us get over the line at certain stages to get the run that we needed when we needed it.”

Aggies battle but can’t seal the deal David Perkins

of the early part of the game proved insurmountable for Sports Editor the team, even as they came within 4 points of matching On the evening of Jan. 18, the and defeating their rival.

Cameron men’s basketball team lost The Aggies may have 80-76 to Midwestern State University (MSU) in their second and final match up fell short in the first half, but they came back in rare during rivalry week.

The loss split the series even between fashion to create a nailbiting game in the final the two teams. moments of the game.

The Aggies hung with the Mustangs If the Aggies had more initially but both the MSU offense and defense proved too much for Cameron in time, perhaps they could have overcome their deficit the first half. and racked up another win.

MSU capitalized on most of their However, the last game rebounds and steals throughout much of of rivalry week for the men’s the first half, regularly taking the ball to the goal after a steal or Cameron’s missed team resulted in a loss.

Cameron head men’s goals.

The Mustangs also proved lethal with coach Andrew Brown was thoroughly disappointed their execution of 3 pointers throughout in his team’s performance the game.

By the end of the first half the Aggies during the first part of the game.

An uphill battle: Cameron Sophomore guard Andrew Nguyen drives down the would be behind by 18 points, ensuring “I don’t feel good about an uphill battle for the second half. court. Ngueyen was the top scorer for the final game of Rivalry week.

MSU came out fighting after halftime, the first half and I don’t feel extending the lead to 25 points in the first good about the first nine “It seemed like we had to try to get it “It’s always tough coming back minutes of the second half,” Brown said. minutes of the second half. back in the last ten minutes of the game from behind with any team, especially In the last twelve minutes of the game “I thought our defensive effort and energy and we had to be perfect,” Brown said. coming back from being down twenty was an embarrassment. And I’ve never the Aggies began to finally hit their “The problem is, it is hard to be perfect.” points,” said Nguyen. “So we knew that said that since I’ve been here.” stride, chipping away at the Mustangs Cameron sophomore guard Andrew we needed to come out in the second half Coach Brown felt that his players comfortable lead by capitalizing play by Nguyen who topped the list of points with a lot more energy.” play on the performance of their defense. underperformed defensively and gave a scored by the Aggies knew that the team Unfortunately the energy of the low energy and effort performance for The late-game surge would not be was in trouble after the first half.

Aggies was not enough. enough for the Aggies. The shortcomings the majority of the game.