Box Score

CANYON, Texas (Dec. 4) – West Texas A&M used a 13-0 second-half run to turn back a Central Oklahoma rally and take control en route to an 80-67 upset of the No. 3-ranked Bronchos here Thursday night.

UCO had cut a 16-point (49-33) deficit to just three (55-52) midway through the second half, but the Buffs came back with 13 unanswered points to regain command and went on to hand the Bronchos their first loss of the season.

UCO shot just 53.6 percent (15-of-28) from the line in falling to 7-1 in its attempt to get to 8-0 for the first time in school history, while WTAMU improved to 5-1.

“We didn't play very well, but give West Texas credit,” head coach Terry Evans said. “They made a bunch of big shots and had an answer for us every time we made a run at them. We just have to put this behind us and move on to the next game.”

The Buffs shot 52.2 percent (24-of-46) from the field, including 47.8 percent (11-of-23) from 3-point range. Kyle Shields was a perfect 7-of-7 in scoring 21 points for WTAMU.

David Thomas led the Bronchos, hitting 8-of-12 shots in scoring 21 points while adding seven rebounds.  UCO also got 15 points from Eric Cazenave and 12 points and 10 rebounds from Lance Harper.

The Bronchos led only once, at 6-4 in the opening two minutes after a short Thomas jumper.  The Buffs answered with a 9-0 run to go on top 13-6 and led by as many as 13 in the first half before settling for a 41-30 halftime advantage.

WTAMU built its lead to 16 at 49-33 early in the second half, but then UCO started to chip away. DeAngelo Garrett had a tip-in to ignite a 13-3 spurt that got the Bronchos within 52-46 and it was just a three-point margin at 55-52 after Harper made one of two free throws with 10:21 remaining.

But UCO missed its next eight shots as the Buffs responded with the game-deciding 13-0 run that made it 67-52 with 6:18 left to play.  The Bronchos got no closer than 13 the rest of the way.

UCO stays on the road to take on Eastern New Mexico at 5 p.m. (Oklahoma time) Saturday.