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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Ireon Smith
59
Winner Central Oklahoma UCO 2-0
55
East Central ECU 1-1
Winner
Central Oklahoma UCO
2-0
59
Final
55
East Central ECU
1-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Central Oklahoma UCO 9 11 20 19 59
East Central ECU 15 15 6 19 55

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Chris Brannick

Bronchos Edge East Central

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team won its second game in as many days to start the season Saturday, with a 59-55 edging of East Central in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association – Great American Conference Crossover Challenge at the Tahlequah Event Center.
 
Central Oklahoma had a slow start for the second day in a row too, but after trailing 15-9 in the first quarter, and 30-20 at halftime, fought back for a lead it wouldn't relinquish in the second half.
 
Ireon Smith had 16 points and eight rebounds to lead the way for the Bronchos (2-0).
 
"We're just not coming out at tipoff ready to play and sometimes you get that when it's a noon start on the road," UCO head basketball coach Guy Hardaker said. "But we need to correct it that's for sure. These comeback wins will help you down the road to be a tougher team, but we need to start better."
 
Hardaker improved to 14-0 all-time against the Tigers from Ada, Okla.
 
Shatoya Bryson had nine points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. That a day after she nearly had a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. The junior guard from Oklahoma City is averaging 3.5 steals per game after opening weekend too.
 
Blake Blessington added eight points and Lauren Chancellor seven.
 
The Bronchos shot just 32 percent from the floor in the win Saturday. UCO was a mere 3-for-18 on 3-point shots but a 22-for-31 day at the free-throw line aided in the win. Bryson had a team-high five makes from the charity stripe and six Bronchos made at least two free-throws.
 
UCO got behind early Saturday, but did hold a brief first-quarter lead. The Bronchos led 7-4 midway through the opening quarter before falling behind by as many eight down the stretch. The East Central lead grew to 12 in the second quarter before the Bronchos went to the halftime locker room down by 10 points.
 
Blessington sank one of UCO's three 3-pointers to start the third quarter and a run for the Bronchos. Chancellor made a fastbreak layup following one Bryson's steals to cap a 13-4 run. McKenna Pulley tied the game and gave Central the lead back on a pair of free-throws with 1:45 to play in the third.
 
Central would not trail again, leading by as many as nine points in the fourth quarter.
 
UCO will play at Cameron this coming Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and then will open the doors to Hamilton Field House for the first – and only – home game of the first semester next week. The Bronchos host Oklahoma Christian on Thursday, Nov. 15, also at 5:30 p.m.
 
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