Women's Basketball 1/25/2020 11:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Visits Emporia State

EMPORIA, Kan. – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team wraps up a short, two-game road trip with a Sunday matinee at Emporia State. Tipoff from White Auditorium is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Central Oklahoma takes a 14-4 record up Interstate-35 to Emporia. The Bronchos are 8-2 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association and hold a second-place standing at the halfway point of league play. Emporia State is 13-4 overall and 6-2 in league play.

The Bronchos are looking to bounce back after a 63-60 loss at Washburn on Thursday night. The Bronchos had a season-high five-game win streak ended there. UCO is averaging 78.2 points per game this season, having scored at least 80 in a game on 10 occasions this season.

Kelsey Johnson leads that charge. The junior forward from Washington, Okla. is averaging 13.2 points per game. She also leads the team in rebounding at 7.3 boards per game. Johnson has scored in double figures in 11 consecutive games and 15 of 18 overall this season. Her season high is 19 points. She has also pulled down double-digit rebounds in five games, including 10 on Thursday night.

Micayla Haynes is the second leading scorer for Central. She missed her first game as a Broncho this past Saturday and played sparingly on Thursday night, but the senior from Guthrie, Okla. remains a threat on both ends of the floor. Haynes averages 11.6 points per game, leads the team with 30 made 3-pointers, and is a 41.6 percent shooter overall. She is also second on the team with 24 steals.

Shatoya Bryson, who averages 9.1 points per game, is second on the team behind Haynes with 27 made 3-pointers. She's a 39.3 percent shooter overall and is also second on the team behind Johnson with 34 made free-throws. Bryson leads the Bronchos in two other categories. She has a team-high 62 assists and also leads the team with 44 steals.

Brooke Rayner, who has started in place of Haynes the past two games – her first two career starts, has continued to improve and show signs of brilliance. The sophomore from Stillwater, Okla. is averaging 7.3 points per game this season, has made 20 3-pointers, is a cool 13 of 16 from the free-throw line, and is also active on defense with 23 steals in 18 games played.

UCO's defense has been stellar this season. The Bronchos force on average 22.2 turnovers per game this season and average 11.3 steals per game. Four Bronchos have more than 20 steals this season. Bryson (44), Haynes (24), Rayner (23), and Jaci Littell (22).

Emporia State is led by freshman Tre'Zure Jobe, who averages 16.6 points per game. She also has 48 steals on the season. Jessica Wayne leads the team with 52 steals and is third on the team in scoring at 12.7 points per game. Mollie Mounsey's 14.3 points per game is second on the team. Wayne, and Morgan Laudan both average a team-high 4.7 rebounds per game.

Central Oklahoma will return home next week. The Bronchos host Missouri Western on Thursday and Northwest Missouri next Saturday.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#21 Shatoya Bryson: G; 5' 8"; Senior

#34 Micayla Haynes: G; 5' 5"; Senior

#11 Brooke Rayner: G; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#13 Jaci Littell: G; 5' 10"; Freshman

#33 Kelsey Johnson: F; 6' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#21 Shatoya Bryson
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

#34 Micayla Haynes
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G

#11 Brooke Rayner
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: G

#13 Jaci Littell
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: G

#33 Kelsey Johnson
: 6' 3"; Junior
: F