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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

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Olivia Mason
Olivia Mason
67
Winner UCO UCO 16-1
54
UAFS UAFS 10-8
Winner
UCO UCO
16-1
67
Final
54
UAFS UAFS
10-8
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
UCO UCO 22 14 17 14 67
UAFS UAFS 11 19 13 11 54

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Chris Brannick

No. 12 Bronchos Outlast Arkansas-Fort Smith

FORT SMITH, Ark. – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team led wire-to-wire Tuesday night in a non-conference 67-54 win over Arkansas-Fort Smith.

The Bronchos (16-1) used a strong defensive effort from the outset to fend off Ft. Smith and extend their five-game winning streak. Jesheon Cooper led that effort with six blocked shots. Tuesday is the fourth game this season that Cooper has blocked five shots, and the second time the junior has blocked six in one game. Cooper now has 52 blocked shots this season, second-most in school history.

Paired with Cooper's presence in the paint, the Bronchos stepped up on the defensive end to hold Ft. Smith to 39 percent shooting , including 4-of-16 from 3-point range.

"That has become the key for us lately," UCO head coach Guy Hardaker said. "For us to be able to protect the rim like that, it gives our guards more freedom to pressure more on the perimeter. It's a good position to be in and I'm proud of the way the girls stepped up in that aspect tonight."

Melinda Murillo led the Broncho offense, which shot a lesser percentage than Ft. Smith, with 19 points. The Bronchos finished Tuesday 22-of-58 shooting, or 38 percent.

Olivia Mason had 16 points, five rebounds and three steals for the Bronchos. Mason set the tone for UCO's offense, hitting her first 3-pointer on the game's first possession.

She finished 3 of 4 from deep to now move into fifth-place in school history in both 3-pointers made (152), and 3-pointers attempted (402). That's not all for the senior from Fairview.

Mason now has 902 career points, becoming just the 18th player in Central Oklahoma history to score 900.

Blake Blessington also scored double figures for the Bronchos. The sophomore guard had 10 points, six of which came from the free-throw line.

Megan Womack was key in the post backing up Cooper. Womack came on strong in the first half, going 4-of-4 with eight points. Each of her baskets was a short jumper from the left block, and the lefty couldn't be stopped. Womack finished with eight, and three rebounds and one blocked shot.

Cooper finished with six points, Marley Anderson had five points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Madison Lee scored three for the Bronchos.

UCO is done with non-conference play for the remainder of the regular season. The Bronchos play at Northeastern State on Saturday in MIAA play before continuing their four-game road trip against Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern next week.
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