Men's Basketball 12/10/2020 10:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Welcome Nebraska Kearney To Hamilton Field House

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma men's basketball team is back in action Saturday, as the Bronchos return to its home base in Hamilton Field House to take on Nebraska Kearney in an MIAA tilt. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Central is 0-3 this season. The Bronchos only played once last week and came up short, 81-71, at Washburn. Central's matchup at Emporia State was postponed due to quarantine protocols. The Bronchos narrowly missed an upset bid of 21st-ranked Missouri Southern in the 2020-21 season opener. UCO then lost by 11 at home to Pittsburg State.

Central averages 70.3 points per game this season through three games played. The Bronchos shoot 39.9 percent from the floor overall, 30.0 percent from behind the arc, and 77.1 percent from the free-throw line. UCO also outrebounds its opponents by two per game.

Isaiah Wade overcame a tough debut after finding himself in foul trouble against Missouri Southern. He recorded four points and four rebounds in just 13 minutes of play then. But he rebounded in a big way against Pittsburg State both figuratively and literally with 14 points and 14 rebounds. He followed that with a 18-point, 12-rebound performance against Washburn. Wade is averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds per game through three games played this season. He is one of just two players in the league averaging a double-double.

Junior Camryn Givens is still Central's leading scorer after three games at 13.3 points per game. Givens however is trying to increase his input after scoring 27 in the season opener and then five and eight in each of the next two games. Givens also averages 7.7 rebounds per game, which is second most on the team. He is 11-for-13 from the free-throw line as well, both also second most on the Central roster.

Justin Nimmer has filled up the stat sheet with a little bit of input in a lot of different areas. The sophomore averages 12 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, has a team high nine assists in three games, and a team-high four steals in three games played. He is also third on the team with an 8-for-12 mark at the free-throw line.

Callen Haydon is averaging 9.0 points per game and is a team-best 16-for-18 from the free-throw line (88.9 percent). Haydon has just five assists in two games, but after leading the country in junior college last season, that number is expected to go up.

Colt Savage chips in his fair share with eight points per game. The junior is the team's leader from shooting behind the arc. He is a combined 6-for-13 this season, a 46.2 percent mark.

UCO leads the all-time series against UNK with a 14-5 advantage. The teams first played in the 1960-61 season. Central won the first six meetings. The teams have met twice every season over the past seven seasons. Since joining the MIAA, UCO is up 10-5 in the series.

Nebraska Kearney is led by Jake Walker, who averages 20 points per game, however he has only played in one of three games this season. Sam Morris is in a similar position but averages 18 points per game. Darian Nebeker has played in all three games and averages 12 points per game. UNK averages 67.7 as a team and is allowing 74 points per game.

Central only plays once next week as well, taking on Newman Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#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

#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