Long-distance Shots Spark Bronchos

1/10/2013 9:56:00 PM

Josh Gibbs

Box Score

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (Jan. 10) – Josh Gibbs scored a season-high 27 points and Central Oklahoma rode its outside marksmanship to an 85-80 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association victory over Truman State here Thursday night.

The Bronchos shot an amazing 72.2 percent from long range in hitting 13-of-18 shots beyond the arc, but UCO's second straight league win wasn't secure until the final seconds.

Jamelle Cormier hit two pressure-packed free throws with four seconds left and the Bronchos clinging to an 81-80 lead, with a quick turnover and Seth Heckart layup at 0:02 clinching the victory.

UCO improved to 5-8 on the season and 3-2 in the MIAA with the victory.

“Anytime you can win a game on the road in this league you've done something right and we played well tonight,” UCO coach Terry Evans said. “We got a lot of good looks at the basket and guys were knocking shots down. We made some big plays down the stretch and came out with a great win.”

Gibbs was 9-of-15 from the field with two 3-pointers in his 27-point outing while adding a team-high seven rebounds and four assists. Freshman Cal Andrews drained 5-of-6 attempts from long range in a 15-point outing and Heckart had three treys in scoring 13 points.

UCO led 49-40 at halftime, but the Bulldogs opened the second half with a 10-1 run to tie it and eventually went ahead 58-57. The Bronchos went back in front 66-58 before Truman used an 11-2 run to go back on top 69-68 with 7:26 remaining.

A Cormier layup and three-point play by Gibbs put UCO ahead to stay and the Bronchos extended their lead to 78-71 on two Spencer Smith free throws with 3:26 left.

Truman pulled within 78-77, but one free throw by Gibbs at 0:39 and Heckart's layup at 0:22 made it 81-77 before the Bulldogs got within a point on a three-point play at 0:07 to set the stage for UCO's late heroics.

The Bronchos fell behind 7-1 in the opening minutes, but Gibbs had five points in a 15-5 run that gave UCO a 16-12 lead and it became a 10-point advantage at 27-17 on back-to-back 3-pointers by Heckart and Andrews.

UCO's lead peaked at 14 (39-25) on another Heckart trey before the Bronchos settled for their nine-point halftime cushion.

Central continues its road trip Saturday, taking on Lindenwood at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in St. Charles, Mo.

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