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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Marquis Johnson
Marquis Johnson
67
Winner Fort Hays State FHSU 16-9, 10-7 MIAA
66
Central Oklahoma UCO 15-10, 10-7 MIAA
Winner
Fort Hays State FHSU
16-9, 10-7 MIAA
67
Final
66
Central Oklahoma UCO
15-10, 10-7 MIAA
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Fort Hays State FHSU 36 31 67
Central Oklahoma UCO 32 34 66

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

UCO Falls Short Against Tigers

EDMOND (Feb. 18) – Jordan London's last-second 3-point attempt looked true all the way to the basket, but instead of splashing through for a dramatic Central Oklahoma win the shot spun around the rim and into the hands of a waiting Fort Hays State defender as the final buzzer sounded Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Field House.
 
Tigers 67, Bronchos 66.
 
UCO trailed virtually the entire game before scoring four points in a 10-second span to surge in front 66-65 as the game wound down.  Josh Holliday's driving layup in traffic at 0:23 got the Bronchos within one and London came up with a steal at 0:15, quickly getting the ball to Marquis Johnson.
 
Johnson found Holliday open underneath the basket for another layup that gave UCO a 66-65 lead with 13 seconds left, but FHSU's Rob Davis drove in for a five-foot floater at 0:06 to put the Tigers back in front.
 
Johnson pushed the ball quickly upcourt and, after not finding a clear path to the basket, passed to London on the left wing.  London let fly immediately and the sophomore sharpshooter's potential game-winner rimmed out, with FHSU claiming the rebound as time expired.
 
"It was a good-looking shot and I thought Jordan made it, but unfortunately it didn't go in," head coach Tom Hankins said.  "It's a tough loss, especially after the way we battled back at the end.  We were down most of the game and I was really proud of the way we kept fighting to give ourselves a chance."
 
UCO fell to 15-10 overall and 10-7 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association with the loss in its final regular season home game.  The Tigers improved to 16-9 and 10-7, moving into a tie for third place with the Bronchos in a crowded league race.
 
Holliday led UCO with 19 points and three steals, hitting 7-of-13 shots with one 3-pointer and all four free throw attempts.  Corbin Byford had 12 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots, while Corey Alpough chipped in 10 points.
 
The Tigers bolted to a 7-0 lead to open the game and led by as many as 13 (36-23) before UCO scored the final 11 points of the half to get within 36-32 at the break.
 
Byford's three-point play started that surge and London ended it when he knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner off a Holliday feed on the fast break with three seconds left.
 
FHSU built its lead back to nine on several occasions in the second half, but the Bronchos rallied to take their first lead of the game at 55-53 on a Holliday 3-pointer with 5:34 remaining.  It was back-and-forth the rest of way, leading to the final sequence that left UCO agonizingly short at the end.
 
The Bronchos finish the regular season next week with games at Washburn and Emporia State.
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