Box Score
WICHITA FALLS, Texas (March 13) – A horrendous shooting performance was too much to overcome for Central Oklahoma here Saturday afternoon as the Bronchos misfired from start to finish in falling to Fort Hays State 80-64 in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional.
Sixth-seeded UCO entered the game ranked fourth in the country in both scoring average (89.6) and 3-pointers per game (10.1), but the Bronchos shot a season-worst 31.0 percent (22-of-71) from the field and made just 3-of-19 long-range shots (15.8 percent) in their lowest scoring game of the season.
The Lone Star Conference North Division champion Bronchos had their season ended at 22-7, while the Tigers improved to 23-6 in moving into Sunday's semifinals and gained measure of revenge after losing to UCO 65-64 in the first round of the regional two years ago.
“We just couldn't make any shots,” UCO coach Terry Evans said. “We got plenty of good looks and we're normally a very good shooting team, but nothing was going down today and that makes it tough.
“It's a disappointing loss, but we can't let it take away from our season and all the good things we accomplished this year.”
Dauntae Williams once again led the Bronchos, finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. UCO also got 15 points from Chris Rhymes, while Tyler Phillips added nine rebounds and seven points.
The Bronchos enjoyed a couple of three-point leads early in the contest, but FHSU went up by four (21-17) with 8:23 left in the half. Williams had five points and Rhymes four in an 11-2 run that put UCO back in front 28-23 with 3:37 left in the half and it was 30-28 lead after two Williams free throws at the 2:33 mark.
Four straight turnovers helped contribute to a 10-0 FHSU run that gave the Tigers a 38-30 lead before Rhymes hit a buzzer-beating jumper to pull the Bronchos within 38-32 at intermission.
Williams and Brent Friday opened the second half with layups to cut the deficit to 38-36 and UCO was within a point (39-38) when Williams went inside for a layup with 16:30 left to play.
But the Bronchos couldn't get over the hump with their poor shooting and the Tigers went on a 7-0 run to go up 46-38 with 13:40 remaining. FHSU pushed its lead to 10 at 50-40 and made it 54-42 with 11:03 left.
UCO tried to rally and got within seven twice, the final time at 62-55 with 6:40 to play on two Phillips free throws. The Bronchos got the ball right back with a quick turnover, but missed yet another shot and FHSU scored the next six points to make it 68-55 and put the game away.
It was the final contest for four UCO seniors – Rhymes, Eric Cazenave, Keith Marks and Blake Livingston.
