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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Marquis Johnson
Marquis Johnson
62
Central Oklahoma UCO 14-9, 9-6 MIAA
72
Winner Fort Hays State FHSU 15-8, 9-6 MIAA
Central Oklahoma UCO
14-9, 9-6 MIAA
62
Final
72
Fort Hays State FHSU
15-8, 9-6 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Central Oklahoma UCO 19 43 62
Fort Hays State FHSU 37 35 72

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Chris Brannick

UCO downed by Fort Hays State

HAYS, Kan. – A slow start put Central Oklahoma in an early deficit it could not overcome and the Bronchos lost 72-62 to Fort Hays State in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association action.
 
"We showed some pretty good resolve in the second half to try and get back in the game," UCO head coach Tom Hankins said. "But that was a lot to ask for our guys. We got ourselves in a hole and we can't do that, not on the road, not in this league."
 
The Bronchos (14-9, 9-6) only converted 6 of 36 first half shots and trailed 37-19 at halftime. A much better second half was too little, too late for Central Oklahoma, who with the loss is tied with Fort Hays State for fourth-place in the MIAA standings. The difference between fourth and fifth is a first-round bye in the conference tournament in three weeks.
 
At the break, only three Bronchos had scored. Jake Hammond led the way with nine, Marquis Johnson had six, and Corbin Byford had four. But UCO was in trouble on offense. The Bronchos made none of their five 3-pointers in the first half, and were 7 of 13 from the free throw line.
 
In the second half, UCO came out firing. Hammond forced a turnover, then Jordan London made a layup. Another turnover for Hays, another layup for the Bronchos. Then after a missed jumper by Hays, Johnson converted a layup of his own. UCO cut the lead to 10.
 
But just as fast as the Bronchos cut away at the lead, Hays had the answer. UCO was down 17 three minutes later, the biggest deficit of the game. UCO got within four with four minutes to go, but the Bronchos couldn't get any closer.
 
Johnson led UCO with 16 points. Hammond finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Xavier Howard had nine, Byford and London each scored eight.
 
UCO hosts Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m. Then the Bronchos host Fort Hays State again on Saturday in the final home game of the season for Central.
 
 
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