University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Bronchos Lose Heartbreaker

12/10/2011 9:26:00 PM

Cortrez Colbert

Box Score

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (Dec. 10) – Central Oklahoma never trailed in Saturday night's defensive battle with No. 25-ranked Arkansas Tech until the Wonder Boys hit a tie-breaking 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining in handing the Bronchos a tough 54-53 loss.

UCO led by nine (27-18) at halftime and it was tied only twice in the second half, the final time coming with 35 seconds left when ATU scored. Josh Davis was fouled while rebounding his own miss with 18 seconds remaining, but missed both foul shots to keep the game deadlocked.

The Wonder Boys then took their first lead when sharpshooter Johnie Davis nailed a 3-pointer at 0:09 to make it 54-51. The Bronchos weren't able to get off a tying 3-point try and Davis scored at the buzzer to arrange the final margin.

UCO fell to 7-5 in its lowest-scoring game since a 53-point output against Northeastern State in 2005-06. ATU improved to 5-1.

The Bronchos attempted just 35 shots, making 16 (45.7 percent), though they were only 1-of-8 from behind the 3-point arc (12.5 percent). UCO outrebounded the Wonder Boys 34-24, but committed 25 turnovers.

Davis, who was limited to just 11 points in Central's 79-68 win last Saturday in Edmond, made five 3-pointers and erupted for 29 points to lead ATU.

Brent Friday led the Bronchos with 11 points as the only player in double figures. Shane Carroll added nine points and nine rebounds and Tyler Phillips had eight points.

UCO jumped on top 5-0 early, then broke away from a 9-9 tie with a 9-2 run that was capped by Cortrez Colbert's 3-pointer. Colbert's layup late in the half gave the Bronchos a nine-point advantage (27-18) that they took to intermission.

It was still a nine-point lead at 33-24 on Spencer Smith's inside basket at the 16:03 mark and UCO was up seven (45-38) following Ronald Norfleet's layup at 8:22. ATU came to tie it at 51-all in the final minute to set up the dramatic finish.

The Bronchos return to action next weekend when travel to Nevada for the Las Vegas Classic.

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