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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Kylie Mayes
71
Central Oklahoma UCO 17-13
78
Winner Pittsburg State PSU 26-5
Central Oklahoma UCO
17-13
71
Final
78
Pittsburg State PSU
26-5
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Central Oklahoma UCO 35 36 71
Pittsburg State PSU 38 40 78

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Gorillas End UCO Season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 6) – A promising start turned sour late in the first half and Central Oklahoma had its season ended in the quarterfinals of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Post-season Tournament here Friday night.
 
Kylie Mayes dominated early as the Bronchos zipped to a 24-9 lead over Pittsburg State only to see the No. 13-ranked Gorillas surge in front by halftime en route to a 78-71 victory at Municipal Auditorium.
 
UCO trailed by as many as 19 in the second half before staging a late rally to get within six in the final minute, but  Pitt State held on in improving to 25-5 with its third win of the season over the Bronchos, who ended 17-13.
 
"We had some great stretches today, especially in the first half, but just didn't do enough to win against a really good team," head coach Guy Hardaker said.  "I'm extremely proud to be here with our girls and thought they fought hard tonight.  This is a tough league and we're getting better."
 
Mayes was virtually unstoppable in staking UCO to its early 15-point advantage before missing the last nine minutes of the half with foul trouble and PSU took advantage in seizing a 38-35 lead at the break.  The Bronchos missed nine of their last 11 shots of the half, including five layups.
 
It was still a three-point deficit after at 42-39 after a Mayes bucket three minutes into the second half, but then the Gorillas started to pull away.  PSU's lead peaked at 19 (67-48) with 5:27 left to play before the Bronchos mounted a last-ditch rally.
 
Chelsea Robinson hit a 3-pointer, Mayes a layup and McKenzie Solberg a layup after making a steal during a 12-3 spurt that cut the deficit to 70-60 at the 3:09 mark.  UCO made it a six-point game at 74-68 with 41 seconds left on two Mayes free throws, but the Bronchos got no closer.
 
Mayes finished with a career-high 22 points in her final game, making 8-of-13 shots and all six foul shots in addition to pulling down six rebounds.  Marley Anderson added 12 points off the bench, while Olivia Mason had 12 points and a team-high seven boards.
 
The game was tied 2-2 early when Mayes started asserted herself inside, scoring five points in an 8-0 run that put UCO on top 10-2.  It was still an eight-point lead at 15-7 when Mason drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Mayes' short baseline jumper made it 17-7.
 
A three-point play by Mayes, a follow shot by Mason and Chelsi Dennis' 15-foot baseline shot gave the Bronchos their 24-9 lead with 10:31 left in the half.
 
It was a 14-point advantage at 26-12 following Mayes' inside spin move and short jumper and again at 28-14 after two Robinson free throws, but the tide soon turned.
 
PSU went on a 12-2 run to pull within 32-26 and then scored the final eight points of the half, taking the lead for good when Mikaela Burgess banked in a long 3-pointer just ahead of the halftime buzzer.

 
 
 
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