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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Blake Blessington
Blake Blessington
57
Winner Central Oklahoma UCO 5-0
49
Texas Woman's TWU 3-1
Winner
Central Oklahoma UCO
5-0
57
Final
49
Texas Woman's TWU
3-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Central Oklahoma UCO 13 15 19 10 57
Texas Woman's TWU 9 17 13 10 49

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Chris Brannick

Bronchos Outlast Texas Woman's

DENTON, Texas – The University of Central Oklahoma improved to 5-0 on the season after a 57-49 win over Texas Woman's Sunday afternoon in the second and final game of the Pioneer Classic.
 
The Bronchos once again used its suffocating defense to build a lead big enough to withstand a late surge by the Pioneers. UCO was led by senior center Jesheon Cooper's 16 point, 10 rebound performance. Sunday was Cooper's fourth double-double of the season, and fifth-straight game to score in double figures.
 
"Our offense was better today, but we still have some things we need to get worked out," UCO head coach Guy Hardaker said. "Our defense though continues to be a big help. I'm proud of the way the team got stops when they needed to in the end."
 
Central's biggest defensive play sealed the win Sunday. TWU's Grace Mitchell drove to the basket as Madison Lee put the clamps on defensively. Mitchell spun to free up some space, and tried to get a shot up that could have put the Pioneers within six.
 
Texas, which only had one lead on the day at 24-23, had fought back from down 13 to make a game of it late. But as Mitchell got the shot up, Cooper came over to help, blocked the shot, and corralled the rebound. UCO scored on the other end on a layup from Blake Blessington to make it 57-49.
 
Blessington was one of three Bronchos to have a well-rounded input on the game. The junior guard had six points and seven rebounds to go with two assists. Shatoya Bryson came off the bench and added seven points and seven rebounds. Megan Womack, also off the bench, had eight points and four rebounds.
 
"Our role players were big today," Hardaker said. "That kind of team effort is how you win games."
 
Melinda Murillo added 12 and was the only other Broncho in double-figures. Murillo and Cooper have been all season. Murillo sank a team-high three 3-pointers in the win.
 
Lee scored four, while Ireon Smith and Lauren Chancellor each had two points to round out the scoring for the Bronchos.
 
UCO shot 38.7 percent from the floor Sunday, and just 26.7 on 4 of 15 threes. The Bronchos added five free throws.
 
Cooper was named to the all-tournament following Sunday's final game. She averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two games during the tournament. Murillo was named tournament MVP after averaging 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and 2.5 steals per game in the two Broncho wins this weekend.

Central, which plays its first eight of the season away from home, travels to Missouri next weekend to take on Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association foes Missouri Western (Thursday, Nov. 30) and Northwest Missouri (Saturday, Dec. 2). The Bronchos will play rival Northeastern State on Dec. 5 before finally playing a home game against Southwest Baptist on Thursday, Dec. 7.
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