Game Statistics
AUSTIN, Texas (Dec. 30) – Three players scored 20-plus points to carry Central Oklahoma past St. Edward's 91-83 here Wednesday night on the final day of the St. Edward's Christmas Classic.
Dauntae Williams led the Bronchos with 22 points, while Tyler Phillips and Chris Rhymes scored 21 apiece as UCO stretched its winning streak to four straight in moving to 8-4 on the season.
The Bronchos shot 51.8 percent (29-of-56) from the field, including 40.0 percent (10-of-25) from 3-point range, and outrebounded the Hilltoppers 37-25.
“It's always good to win on the road and we're making progress, UCO coach Terry Evans said. “We played pretty solid, but need to get more production from our bench.”
Williams was 9-of-15 from the field line in his 22-point performance, with the junior guard adding nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. Phillips hit 7-of-12 shots with three 3-pointers and Rhymes made 8-of-10 shots with a pair of treys in their twin 21-point outings, with Rhymes also pulling down nine boards.
Eric Cazenave went 12-of-14 from the charity stripe in scoring 14 points while also handing out a career-high nine assists and Shane Carroll added 10 points off the bench.
The Bronchos tried to seize control early, going in front 17-9 seven minutes into the game as Phillips had a pair of 3-pointers, but SEU came back to take a 25-23 lead at the 6:51 mark.
The Hilltoppers led 34-32 late in the half before UCO got a 3-pointer from Rhymes and a conventional three-point play from Phillips in taking a 38-34 halftime advantage.
A Carroll trey pushed the lead to 11 (51-40) four minutes into the second half, but SEU rallied again and was within two at 61-59 with 8:34 remaining.
That's when the Bronchos put the game away, scoring 11 unanswered points – six by Williams – in opening up a 13-point lead (73-59) with 6:02 left and Cazenave was a perfect 9-of-9 from the line down the stretch to keep UCO safely in front.
Williams was named Most Valuable Player of the classic and was joined on the all-tournament team by Cazenave.
The Bronchos open a three-game homestand and return to Lone Star Conference crossover play next Tuesday when they host Texas A&M-Kingsville at 8 p.m.
