UCO Opens Season Against Familiar Foes

11/9/2017 1:04:00 PM

Marquis Johnson

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ALVA, Okla. - Central Oklahoma makes its 2017-18 debut this weekend when the Bronchos travel to Alva to face a pair of long-time intrastate rivals in the MIAA/GAC Challenge.

UCO, under the direction of third-year head coach Tom Hankins, will take on Southeastern Oklahoma at 5:30 p.m. Friday before going against host Northwestern Oklahoma at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

It will be the fourth straight year for the Bronchos to open the season against SOSU and NWOSU. UCO has played the two teams a combined 268 times since the early 1920s, owning an 82-73 series advantage over the Savage Storm and a big 73-40 cushion over the Rangers.

"We're excited about getting the season started and seeing what kind of team we can become," said Hankins, who is 33-26 at the Central helm. "We've got a good mix of returning players and new guys and they've been working hard to get ready."

The Bronchos have six returners -- including all five starters -- back from last year's 17-12 team and added nine newcomers on the roster. Three Division I transfers are among the new players, with each expected to make an impact.

Josh Holliday, Corbin Byford, Jake Hammond, Marquis Johnson and Jordan London are the returning starters, with four of those five averaging in double figures last year.

Holliday led the way with a 13.1 scoring average while setting a single-season school record for free throw percentage (91.4). Byford netted 12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots in earning second-team All-MIAA honors.

Hammond chipped in 10.7 points and 6.2 rebounds, Johnson 10.5 points and 3.0 assists and London 8.2 points. Cooper Clark is also back from last year after adding 3.5 points off the bench.

Marqueese Grayson, Phabian Glasco and Anthony Roberson are the transfers who will step in and help, though Roberson isn't expected to play this weekend because of injury.

Grayson scored a team-high 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting in UCO's 78-66 exhibition loss at Arkansas on Oct. 27. Byford added 12 points and eight rebounds and London 11 points in that hard-fought loss.

Southeastern is coming off a 12-16 season, while the Rangers went 12-15 a year ago. The Bronchos have swept both teams each of the past three years, including wins of 71-61 (SOSU) and 77-68 (NWOSU) last year in Edmond.

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