Men's Basketball 11/27/2020 12:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

Central Visits Washburn In Season's First Road Trip

TOPEKA, Kan. – The University of Central Oklahoma men's basketball team will make its first road trip of the 2020-21 season Monday when the Bronchos take on Washburn at Lee Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Central Oklahoma is hitting the road for the first time this season and looking for its first win of the new season. The Bronchos narrowly missed an upset bid of 21st-ranked Missouri Southern last week, falling by a single point. UCO then lost by 11 at home to Pittsburg State.

"I think the guys are hungry and ready to go out there and fight and compete," UCO head men's basketball coach Bob Hoffman said. "We played pretty well in our first game but just came up short in the end and I know we can play better than we have. We've got some really good pieces and if we get them going, it'll be fun to watch."

Central averaged 70 points per game over the first weekend of the season, shooting 37.3 percent overall. The Bronchos hit 27.3 percent of their shots from outside, knocking down nine 3-pointers on 33 attempts. UCO was 77.1 percent from the free-throw line, making 37 of 48.

The Bronchos did out-rebound their opponents by a plus-6.5 margin and averaged one less turnover per game despite coming up short in both of the first two contests.

Junior forward Camryn Givens, who played a team-high 60 minutes in two games last week, leads the team in both scoring and rebounding. He is averaging 16 points per game and nine rebounds per game after one week of play. Givens posted a career-high 27 points against Missouri Southern but only scored five against Pitt State.

Justin Nimmer was solid in both games. He's averaging 13 points per game and eight rebounds per game after one week of play. The sophomore guard is also averaging four assists per game. He played 50 minutes in the first two games.

Isaiah Wade collided with foul trouble against Missouri Southern and was hampered for nearly the entire night because of it. But he rebounded well against Pittsburg State. The expected leader in multiple categories for the Bronchos is averaging 9.0 points per game and 9.0 rebounds per game after the first two games. He had 14 points and 14 rebounds against Pitt.

Central will look to get more from its shooters this week. Givens has made three 3-pointers and Colt Savage has too. Nimmer, Callen Haydon, and Carson Calavan each have one from outside.

Washburn is 2-0 on the young season. The Ichabods beat Fort Hays State by a buzzer-beater last Thursday before easing past Nebraska Kearney last Saturday. Washburn is averaging 76.5 points per game after one week of play. The Ichabods shoot 48.7 percent from the floor, 39.1 percent from behind the arc, and just 53.8 percent from the free-throw line.

Drew Maschoff (18.0), Tyler Geiman (16.5), Jonny Clausing (15.5), and Jalen Lewis (11.0) handle almost all of the scoring for Washburn. All but 15.5 points per game have been scored by those four.

Central Oklahoma was originally scheduled to play Washburn Thursday, Dec. 3 in Topeka, but the Ichabods picked up an exhibition game against Kansas for that night, so the MIAA shifted its league game to accommodate. UCO will finish its road trip at Emporia State Saturday, Dec. 5.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Carson Calavan: G; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#33 Camryn Givens: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#0 Justin Nimmer: G; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#2 Isaiah Wade: F; 6' 7"; Senior

#14 Callen Haydon: G; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#13 Carson Calavan
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G

#33 Camryn Givens
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F

#0 Justin Nimmer
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: G

#2 Isaiah Wade
: 6' 7"; Senior
: F

#14 Callen Haydon
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G