University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Mules End UCO's Season

3/9/2013 6:32:00 PM

Christian Huffman

Box Score

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 9) – Central Oklahoma dug itself a massive first-half hole and could never recover in falling to Central Missouri 92-73 here Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Post-season Tournament.

The sixth-seeded Bronchos trailed by 21 points late in the first half, but staged a big rally to pull within four early in the second half and staying close until the second-seeded Mules pulled away late in the final stages.

UCO's season ended at 15-14, while UCM improved to 21-7 and advanced to Sunday's finals against Northwest Missouri.

“We got off to a slow start tonight and just got too far behind,” UCO coach Terry Evans said. “I was really proud of the way we battled to get back in the game, but that took a lot out of us and we just couldn't get the lead.”

Christian Huffman led the Bronchos, hitting 6-of-9 shots with a pair of 3-pointers in scoring 18 points. Josh Gibbs added 15 points, Jamell Cormier 14 and Spencer Smith 13.

Gibbs gave UCO a 3-0 lead 21 seconds into the contest with a 3-pointer and the Bronchos were up 5-3 on a Cormier layup in the early going, but UCM used a 14-2 run to take the lead for good at 17-7.

The Mules steadily added to that cushion and the lead peaked at 21 (43-22) with 4:48 left in the half.

UCO didn't go quietly, however, ending the half with a 13-2 spurt to get within 10 (45-35) at the break. Gibbs started that run with a layup and added a 3-pointer, with Smith and Josh Gibbs also hitting treys.

The Bronchos continued their comeback to start the second half, getting a steal and layup from Cormier followed by a Gibbs steal and Huffman 3-pointer to make it 45-40.

UCO got as close as four twice, at 49-45 on a Gibbs layup and at 59-55 on a Gibbs 3-pointer, but could never pull even and the Mules eventually pulled away.

It was the final game for three UCO seniors – Cormier, Davis and Smith.

Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories