No. 16 UCO Hosts Washburn Saturday

1/13/2017 2:00:00 PM | By: Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma senior Marley Anderson and the Bronchos host Washburn on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017. [UCO Photo Services]

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EDMOND – Coming off one of the biggest wins in school history, No. 16 Central Oklahoma has quickly shifted its focus to its next opponent.

UCO (14-1, 6-1) upset second-ranked Emporia State on Thursday night but now looks to Saturday, when the Bronchos host Washburn at 12:30 p.m. in Hamilton Field House.

"It's a long season," UCO head coach Guy Hardaker said after Thursday's win. "We've played 15 games, so we have 13 left. We've got a long way to go."

Hardaker was as excited as anyone Thursday, but said you really don't have any time to celebrate because you have to move on. Not only does UCO have the quick turnaround, but Washburn is no easy opponent.

The Ichabods are 11-4 on the season and 4-2 in conference play. Washburn averages 69.2 points per game and shoots 45.1 percent from the floor, ranking ninth in the league in scoring, but third in field goal percentage.

Alyxis Bowens leads Washburn in scoring with 11.1 points per game. The 6-foot-2 senior forward is also the team's leading rebounder with 5.9 boards per game.

Jharian Bowen and Erika Lane also average double-digits for Washburn. Bowen averages an even 11 points per game and leads the team with 29 made 3-pointers this season. Lane averages 10.4 points per game, is second on the team in rebounding, and third on the team in 3-pointers made.

Washburn does own a 9-4 advantage in the all-time series with UCO. Hardaker is 4-7 against the Ichabods. Last season, the Bronchos split with Washburn. UCO won 61-51 in Edmond, while Washburn won 69-62 in Topeka, Kan.

For the Bronchos, Melinda Murillo was on target Thursday. She scored 16 – her average per game this season – in the Bronchos upset of Emporia State.

Jesheon Cooper scored 10, she averages 11.5 per game this season. Cooper dipped slightly below a double-double average after getting five rebounds on Thursday, the junior averages 9.9 rebounds per game this season.

Cooper did go up in blocks per game. She's now up to 2.9 swatted shots per contest. She has 44 on the season, fifth-most in one season in school history.

Olivia Mason, who made three huge shots for the Bronchos Thursday during a 16-3 run late in the third quarter, is averaging 10.9 points per game, and 7.7 rebounds per game. She continues to lead the team in 3-pointers, with 30 on the season.

Mason's two shots from deep Thursday moved her into a tie with UCO Hall of Famer Courtney Berry for fifth-most 3-pointers made in a career at Central. Berry made 148 from 1996-99. The all-time record at UCO is 190 by Ami Guffy.

UCO will again have a short turnaround following Saturday's game. The Bronchos will play at Arkansas-Fort Smith in a non-conference clash on Tuesday. That game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start.

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