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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Jake Hammond
Jake Hammond
64
Emporia State ESU 7-8, 3-3 MIAA
90
Winner Central Oklahoma UCO 10-5, 4-2 MIAA
Emporia State ESU
7-8, 3-3 MIAA
64
Final
90
Central Oklahoma UCO
10-5, 4-2 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Emporia State ESU 37 27 64
Central Oklahoma UCO 50 40 90

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

UCO Takes Sting Out of Hornets

EDMOND (Jan. 12) – Jake Hammond scored eight of his season-high 23 points in the first four minutes to stake Central Oklahoma to an early lead and the Bronchos went on to a 90-64 shellacking of Emporia State Thursday night at Hamilton Field House.
 
It was the second straight dominating performance for Hammond, who had 20 points in UCO's close loss to Lindenwood last Saturday.  The 6-foot-8 junior forward was 9-of-13 from the field -- hitting an assortment of turnaround jumpers, baby hooks and layups in addition to nailing his 3-pointer of the season – while adding five rebounds and three blocked shots.
 
It was the third win in four outings for the Bronchos, who improved to 10-5 on the season and 5-2 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.  The Hornets fell to 7-8 and 3-3 in having a three-game winning streak stopped.
 
"Jake gave us a big boost early and really played well tonight," head coach Tom Hankins said.  "He got in foul trouble a lot early in the season, but I think he's figuring out how physical he can play and we obviously need him on the court.
 
"I thought we did a good job defensively and were efficient on offense.  Everybody contributed and it was a good win for us."
 
All nine players who saw action scored for the Bronchos, including five in double figures.  UCO shot 53.6 percent (30-of-56) from the field with just seven turnovers while holding ESU to just 34.5-percent shooting.
 
Josh Holliday made three treys, went 6-of-6 from the line and had a fine overall outing with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.  Corey Alpough added 13 points off the bench, with Marquis Johnson chipping in 12 points and seven rebounds and Corbin Byford 10 points and three blocks.
 
The Bronchos trailed only once, at 2-0 in the opening seconds.  Hammond's short jumper quickly tied it, Byford put UCO on top to stay with a fast-break layup off a Jordan London feed and Hammond scored from close range again to make it 6-2 just two minutes into the game.
 
Hammond added two more buckets and Holliday drilled a long 3-pointer to push the lead to 15-7 at the 15:14 mark and the margin reached double digits at 21-11 on an Alpough free throw with 11:14 left in the half.
 
Two Holliday foul shots at 4:28 had the Bronchos up by 17 (42-25), with Emporia hitting a last-second shot to get within 13 (50-37) by intermission.
 
UCO's lead never dipped under 10 in the second half and the Bronchos ended the game with a 19-7 surge to put an exclamation point on the rout.
 
UCO is back in action Saturday, hosting conference foe Washburn at 3:30 p.m. in the final home game of the month.
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