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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Jordan London
Jordan London
84
Nebraska-Kearney UNK 17-8, 10-6 MIAA
92
Winner Central Oklahoma UCO 15-9, 10-6 MIAA
Nebraska-Kearney UNK
17-8, 10-6 MIAA
84
Final
92
Central Oklahoma UCO
15-9, 10-6 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Nebraska-Kearney UNK 41 43 84
Central Oklahoma UCO 52 40 92

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Early Surge Sparks UCO Past Lopers

EDMOND (Feb. 16) – Jordan London ignited a game-opening salvo that put Central Oklahoma in quick control and Josh Holliday broke out of a two-game shooting slump to lead the Bronchos to a crucial 92-84 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association win over Nebraska-Kearney Thursday night at Hamilton Field House.
 
London had five points, four rebounds and an assist as UCO bolted to a 9-0 lead just 2:41 into the contest, while Holliday made 7-of-13 field goal tries in scoring 21 points after combining for two points on 0-of-8 shooting in two losses last week.
 
The Bronchos never trailed after the early outburst and led by double digits most of the way in avenging an 80-74 road loss to UNK a week ago.  UCO improved to 15-9 on the season and moved into a third-place tie with the Lopers in the league standings at 10-6.
 
"We were a little upset with the loss at their place last week in a game we felt we should have won," head coach Tom Hankins said.  "We had a little extra motivation with that and I thought we came out with a lot of energy at the start."
 
The Bronchos shot a season-high 56.3 percent (36-of-64) from the field and made 17-of-20 free throws (85.0 percent) in their highest-scoring game of the year.
 
Holliday led five players in double figures with his 21-point outing, making all six free throw tries in addition to his success from the field.  The sophomore guard added four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
 
Corey Alpough was big off the bench with 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots on 8-of-15 shooting, while Jake Hammond had 14 points and a season-high five blocks.  London finished with 12 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals, with Corbin Byford chipping in 10 points.
 
"Corey was really good for us tonight," Hankins said.  "He was aggressive around the basket and made some big shots.  Our two other guys off the bench (Xavier Howard and Cooper Clark) really stepped up and helped us as well."
 
London had an offensive rebound and put-back basket on UCO's opening possession of the game to give the Bronchos a lead they never relinquished and added a 3-pointer from the top of the key a minute later to key the 9-0 start.
 
UCO pushed its advantage to 17-3 on a Hammond layup not even five minutes into the contest and the lead peaked at 17 (48-31) on London's layup with 1:53 left in the half.
 
The Lopers hit two 3-pointers in the final 30 seconds to cut their deficit to 11 (52-41) at intermission and were within eight (58-50) early in the second half.  Alpough stopped UNK's momentum with a short jumper and London quickly swiped the ball, leading to a Byford dunk that made it 62-50.
 
The Bronchos led by double digits and were never threatened the rest of the way, with UNK scoring the last five points of the game to get within the final eight-point margin.
 
UCO wraps up its regular season home schedule Saturday, hosting Fort Hays State at 3:30 p.m. on Senior Day.
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