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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Jordan Hemphill
Jordan Hemphill
62
Central Oklahoma UCO 4-2
66
Winner West Tex. A&M WTAMU 8-1
Central Oklahoma UCO
4-2
62
Final
66
West Tex. A&M WTAMU
8-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Central Oklahoma UCO 20 42 62
West Tex. A&M WTAMU 27 39 66

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Haley Eldridge

Central Upset Bid Falls Short At WT

CANYON, Texas (Nov. 24) -- A gallant upset bid by the University of Central Oklahoma men's basketball team fell short against No. 8-ranked West Texas A&M Saturday evening as the Bronchos dropped a hard-fought 66-62 decision on the final day of the Pak-A-Sac Thanksgiving Classic.

UCO overcame an early 15-point deficit to tie the game in the final minutes before the Buffs pulled out the tough win.  WT improved to 8-1 on the season while dropping the Bronchos to 4-2.
 
"It was a tough loss, but I'm really proud of our guys for the way they battled tonight," UCO head coach Tom Hankins said. "We got down early and did a great job fighting back to give ourselves a chance and just came up a little short."
 
Central was hampered by poor shooting as the Bronchos made only 36.4 percent (24-of-66) of their field goal attempts, including just 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from 3-point range.
 
Adarius Avery once again led the Bronchos, pouring in 21 points while also hauling in 14 rebounds and adding four assists. Ashford Golden came off the bench with 15 points and eight rebounds.  Jordan Hemphill added nine points and eight rebounds.

UCO fell behind 17-2 in the opening minutes, but Avery scored six points in a 9-0 run that made it 17-11 and the Bronchos were within three at 23-20 when Jaylan Williams canned a 3-pointer.

The Buffs went on to take a 27-20 lead into halftime and pushed their lead back to 10 (44-34) with 11:24 remaining before Central rallied once again.  Golden's trey capped a 17-7 spurt that pulled the Bronchos even at 51-all with 6:40 left and it was tied again at 56 following a Hemphill 3-pointer at the 3:56 mark.

But WT snuffed out the upset try, scoring six unanswered points to go up 62-56 and UCO wasn't able to overcome that deficit down the stretch.

The Bronchos resume play Thursday against Oklahoma Christian in Hamilton Field House at 7 p.m.
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