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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Corbin Byford
Corbin Byford
64
Central Oklahoma UCO 14-7, 7-5 MIAA
74
Winner Central Missouri UCM 17-4, 9-3 MIAA
Central Oklahoma UCO
14-7, 7-5 MIAA
64
Final
74
Central Missouri UCM
17-4, 9-3 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Central Oklahoma UCO 23 41 64
Central Missouri UCM 35 39 74

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Bronchos Fall At Central Missouri

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 1) – Opening-half shooting woes led to a double-digit deficit that was too much for Central Oklahoma to overcome and the Bronchos dropped a 74-64 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association decision to Central Missouri here Thursday night.
 
UCO made only 10-of-26 shots in the first 20 minutes – including just 1-of-7 from 3-point range – in falling behind 35-23 and the Bronchos trailed by as many as 16 in the second half before a late rally fell short.
 
It was the fourth loss in the last six games for UCO, which fell to 14-7 overall and 7-5 in the league.  The Mules improved to 17-4 and 9-4 with their third straight win.
 
"We came out flat for whatever reason and got behind early again," head coach Tom Hankins said.  "We couldn't make any shots and our defense wasn't much better, especially in the first 25 minutes or so.  I thought our guys fought hard to get back in the game, but we couldn't come up with enough stops."
 
Marqueese Grayson led the Bronchos with 19 points, hitting 7-of-13 shots with three treys while adding five rebounds and two assists.
 
Corbin Byford and Marquis Johnson added 11 points each, with Byford also pulling down eight boards.  Jake Hammond chipped in eight points and eight rebounds.
 
UCO ended up shooting 43.9 percent (25-of-57) for the game, including 33.3 percent (7-of-21) from long range.  The Bronchos were outscored 20-7 at the free throw line, making 7-of-11 foul shots while Central Missouri went 20-of-25.
 
Hammond had two early baskets as UCO led 4-2, but the Mules surged ahead with a 12-4 run and went on to take a 35-23 halftime advantage.  That grew to a 16-point bulge at 50-34 in the first five minutes of the second half.
 
Grayson splashed through a pair of treys to spark a 10-4 run that made it 54-44 and the Bronchos got within eight at 59-51 when Hammond knocked down a 17-foot jumper.
 
The deficit was still eight (65-57) at the 4:36 mark when Johnson made two free throws after Central Missouri was called for a technical foul  and UCO was within six at 65-59 after Byford's layup off a Johnson assist with 3:55 left.
 
Jordan Hemphill's 3-pointer at 1:15 still had the Bronchos within six (70-64), but UCO missed its last three shots and the Mules sewed up the win with four late free throws.
 
The Bronchos continue their two-game road trip Saturday, going to Bolivar, Mo. to take on Southwest Baptist at 3:30 p.m.
 
 
 
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