University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Defending Champions Topple UCO

12/19/2012 9:59:00 PM

Josh Gibbs

Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Dec. 19) – Central Oklahoma stayed with defending national champion Western Washington most of the first half before the No. 5-ranked Vikings used a late run to seize command en route to a 103-74 victory over the Bronchos here Wednesday night on the final day of the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic.

UCO trailed just 34-30 with 6:54 left in the opening half, but the unbeaten Vikings (9-0) went on a 21-7 spurt the rest of the way to open up an 18-point (55-37) advantage by intermission.

WWU then scored the first four points of the second half and the Bronchos got no closer than 19 the rest of the way in falling to 3-7 on the season.

Josh Gibbs paced UCO, hitting 8-of-10 shots in scoring 20 points while adding seven rebounds. Spencer Smith contributed 13 points and Jamell Cormier 12.

The Bronchos were outrebounded 45-31 and WWU hit 14-of-31 (45.2) tries from 3-point range.

UCO had a series of early leads, starting at 3-0 on Smith's 3-pointer just 15 seconds into the contest. It was a 7-3 advantage after a Gibbs layup, but the Vikings ripped off 10 unanswered points to take the lead for good at 13-7.

The Bronchos hung tough and were within four at 34-30 on a Christian Huffman 3-pointer, but WWU came back with its half-ending run to end UCO's hopes of an upset.

Central is off until resuming Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play on Jan. 3 at home against Missouri Western.

Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories