Box Score
LAWTON, Okla. (Feb. 21) – Brianne Grisham's outside sharpshooting sparked a first-half run that put Central Oklahoma in control and the No. 17-ranked Bronchos went to throttle Lone Star Conference North Division rival Cameron 62-47 here Saturday afternoon.
Grisham, who entered the game averaging 2.4 points a game with 14 3-pointers on the season, came off the bench to hit four straight long-range shots as UCO turned a 16-15 lead midway through the half into a 34-25 halftime advantage.
The Bronchos then opened the second half with a 10-2 run to seize a commanding 44-27 cushion and CU got no closer than 10 the rest of the way as UCO won for the 11th time in 12 outings, improving to 21-4 overall and an LSC North-leading 11-1.
Grisham finished with a season-high 14 points while adding four rebounds, four steals and two assists. Lizzie Brenner had 10 points and 10 rebounds, with Cristina Yarbrough, Ashley Beckley and Rose Anderson chipping in nine points apiece.
“Brianne came in to hit some big shots for us and gave us a lift we really needed today,” UCO coach Guy Hardaker said. “We didn't shoot the ball very well and made too many mistakes, but anytime you go on the road and win in this league you have to be happy.”
Neither team shot well, with the Bronchos hitting just 22-of-58 shots (37.9 percent) and the Aggies 16-of-52 (30.8 percent). UCO made 7-of-14 (50.0 percent) in the first half against CU's zone defense, but hit only 1-of-13 (7.7 percent) in the final 20 minutes.
Grisham saved the Bronchos in the first half, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers in a 52-second span to give the Bronchos a 22-15 lead and then answering four straight CU points with a long-range bomb from the corner.
The junior hit again from the wing at the 3:46 mark to make it 28-23, with Anderson making four free throws and Yarbrough a fast-break layup off a Grisham pass the rest of the way to give UCO its 34-25 halftime lead.
Cameron opened the second half with a bucket to get within seven, but the Bronchos answered with 10 straight points to make it 44-27 as Beckley had a pair of layups.
The Aggies cut it back to 10 at 46-36 with 13:30 left to play before UCO finally put the game away with an 11-0 spurt. Beckley had two more layups and Grisham a steal and layup before Mallory Markus finished it off with a 3-pointer that made it 57-36 at 7:05.
The Bronchos scored just five points the rest of the way, but Cameron never threatened.
UCO plays its final two regular season games next week, going to Texas A&M-Commerce Wednesday for a big showdown before finishing at home next Saturday against Southwestern Oklahoma.
