Off The Mark

11/23/2013 3:08:00 PM

Julia Mason

Box Score

DENTON, Texas (Nov. 23) – Shooting wasn't Central Oklahoma's strong point in a 4-0 start and that was certainly the case in the Bronchos' first loss of the season here Saturday afternoon at the Marriott Champions Circle Pioneer Premiere.

UCO entered the game shooting just 38.0 percent from the field and the Bronchos lowered that after hitting only 20-of-60 shots (33.3 percent) in dropping a 72-62 decision to former Lone Star Conference rival Tarleton State on the first day of the two-day classic.

The Bronchos shot a paltry 16.7 percent (5-of-30) from 3-point range and also turned the ball over four times in the final three minutes after pulling within 58-56, allowing the TexAnns to put the game away at the free throw line.

"We haven't shot the ball very well so far and definitely not today," said head coach Guy Hardaker, whose team takes on host Texas Woman's at 2 p.m. Sunday. "We got a lot of good looks and just didn't knock down the shots we needed to. We did some good things defensively to stay in the game, but it wasn't enough."

Jill Bryan led UCO with 21 points and six rebounds, while Haley Weathers and Julia Mason added 10 points apiece.

Whitney Dunn had two layups in a 6-0 run to open the second half that trimmed UCO's 31-24 halftime deficit to 31-30 and the Bronchos moved in front 38-36 minutes later on a rare 3-point make, this one a shot from the wing by Olivia Mason.

The TexAnns answered with five straight points to regain the lead for good at 41-38, though UCO stayed close until the final minute.

Haley Weather's corner 3-pointer had the Bronchos within 47-46 at the 9:21 mark and the deficit was just 58-56 at 4:08 after Chelsea Robinson's conventional three-point play, but five straight empty possessions -- three turnovers and two missed shots -- helped TSU score six unanswered points to make it 64-56 with 1:30 remaining.

UCO got no closer than six the rest of the way as the TexAnns made eight consecutive free throws to clinch the win.

Both teams started slow, combining to miss 13 of their first 14 shots in forging a 2-2 in the first four minutes as UCO's only points came on two Julia Mason free throws.

TSU led 4-2 when the Bronchos went on their best offensive success of the opening half, going on a 12-4 run to grab a six-point lead.

Jill Bryan started that spurt with a 10-foot bank shot and followed a Tarleton turnover with a 3-pointer from the corner off a Rachel New pass to put UCO in 7-4.

The TexAnns answered with back-to-back baskets to go in front 8-7, but consecutive layups by Jill and Hayley Bryan and a corner trey by Weathers had the Bronchos on top 14-8 with 11:34 left in the half.

UCO scored just once on its next eight possessions – that on New's coast-to-coast layup after a steal – in falling behind 18-16 and the deficit grew to 31-24 by intermission.

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