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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Josh Holliday
Josh Holliday
74
Central Okla. UCO 7-3
85
Winner Southern Nazarene SNU 6-4
Central Okla. UCO
7-3
74
Final
85
Southern Nazarene SNU
6-4
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Central Okla. UCO 35 39 74
Southern Nazarene SNU 32 53 85

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

UCO Falls To Crimson Storm

BETHANY, Okla. (Dec. 16) – Central Oklahoma lost a slim lead in the opening minutes of the second half and never regained it in falling to Southern Nazarene 85-74 here Friday night at the Sawyer Center.
 
The Bronchos had a 35-32 halftime advantage, but were outscored 17-9 in the first six minutes to fall behind.  The Crimson Storm went on to lead by as many as 12 and then fended off a spirited UCO rally before pulling away again down the stretch.
 
SNU won its fourth straight game and improved to 6-4 on the season, while the Bronchos fell to 7-3 in having a four-game winning streak snapped.  It was UCO's final game of the first semester.
 
"We didn't play with any urgency and really struggled defensively," head coach Tom Hankins said.  "It's a disappointing way to finish the break, but it will be good for the players to have some time off."
 
Josh Holliday and Corbin Byford carried UCO all night as both finished with career-high scoring outings.  Holliday had 20 of his 29 points in the opening half and Byford netted 20 points along with 10 rebounds.
 
That duo combined to make 18-of-29 shots (62.1 percent) while the rest of the team was a mere 7-of-27 (25.9 percent) from the field.
 
The Crimson Storm shot 55.4 percent (31-of-56) in the contest and also outrebounded UCO 37-27.  The Bronchos got only two points from its bench, getting outscored 31-2 in that category.
 
SNU broke out to a 21-14 lead midway through the first half before Holliday splashed through two 3-pointers in a 19-second span to spark a 14-5 run that put the Bronchos on top 28-26.
 
Holliday added two free throws and Byford a baby hook to make it 35-30 before the Crimson Storm scored the final two points to get with 35-32 at the break.
 
SNU then surged in front with its 17-9 spurt to open the second half and later scored nine unanswered points to seize a 58-46 lead with 11:03 left to play.
 
UCO didn't go away, however, crawling back to within three at 72-69 on Marquis Johnson's 3-pointer from the corner with 4:41 remaining.  It was a five-point deficit (78-73) at the 2:09 mark after Byford hit a reverse layup, but SNU ended the game with a 7-1 run to clinch it.
 
The Bronchos don't play again until hosting Oklahoma Christian Dec. 29.
 
 
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