UCO Visits League-leading Ichabods Saturday

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Central Oklahoma faces another tough road test Saturday when the Bronchos trek to Topeka, Kan. to take on Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association leader Washburn. Tip-off at Lee Arena is 3 p.m.

UCO is 12-4 on the season and 5-2 in league play, while the Ichabods – who are riding a 10-game winning streak – are 12-3 and 6-0. The Bronchos own a 15-12 lead in the series, though Washburn swept both meetings last year.

Central is coming off a tough 71-69 loss Wednesday night at Emporia State. The Bronchos nearly overcame a 16-point deficit in the final seven minutes before falling short to have a three-game winning streak halted.

"We had a tough game Wednesday and now we have to go back on the road against another really good team," head coach Tom Hankins said. "There's just no let-up in this league and our guys have to understand that. Washburn is strong on both sides of the ball, so we're going to have to be at our best if we want to have a chance to win the game."

The Ichabods average 81.8 points a game while giving up just 67.6. Washburn leads the MIAA in field goal percentage defense (39.4) and is second in both field goal percentage offense (50.3) and rebounding margin (plus 7.4).

Javion Blake is a lethal 3-point threat for WU, having connected on 48.6 percent of his long-range attempts in averaging a team-high 16.6 point a game. Big man Brady Skeens is shooting an NCAA Division II-best 73.8 percent shooting from the field in adding 13.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots a game.

Jordan London led UCO in Wednesday's tough loss to Emporia, coming off the bench to tie a career-high with 22 points. Jake Hammond had 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, while Anthony Roberson chipped in 13 points, nine rebounds and four rejections.

Corbin Byford continues to lead a balanced scoring attack with a 12.7 average and he also paces the team in rebounding (6.8) and field goal percentage (60.0). Marqueese Grayson and Marquis Johnson average 10.4 points a contest as the other double-figure scorers.

Roberson nets 7.8 points and 4.6 rebounds, while Hammond adds 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and a league-leading 2.2 blocked shots.

The Bronchos don't play for a week after visiting Washburn, not returning to the court until hosting Northeastern State on Jan. 20.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Corbin Byford: F; 6' 6"; Senior

#12 Jake Hammond: C; 6' 9"; Senior

#13 Marquis Johnson: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#14 Jordan London: G; 6' 1"; Junior

#0 Anthony Roberson: G; 6' 5"; Senior

#10 Marqueese Grayson: G; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#23 Corbin Byford
: 6' 6"; Senior
: F

#12 Jake Hammond
: 6' 9"; Senior
: C

#13 Marquis Johnson
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#14 Jordan London
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G

#0 Anthony Roberson
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G

#10 Marqueese Grayson
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G