Women's Basketball 2/13/2020 12:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Hosts Newman

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team returns to Hamilton Field House after a short, two-game road trip last week and the Bronchos will host Newman for Game No. 24 on the season.

The Bronchos bring a 16-7 record into Saturday's contest and have a 10-5 mark in league play. Newman is 9-15 overall and 4-11 in the MIAA. The Bronchos split their road trip last week, coming up short at Nebraska Kearney before beating Fort Hays on Saturday. The win at Hays, the first ever for UCO, also clinched a spot in the MIAA Tournament for the Bronchos. Central has qualified for the postseason now seven consecutive seasons and in 7 of 8 seasons since joining the MIAA.

The Bronchos enter the weekend averaging 76.4 points per game and shoot as a team 42.9 percent from the floor overall. UCO shoots 33.1 percent from behind the arc and averages 7.4 made 3-pointers per game.

Kelsey Johnson leads the Bronchos in scoring this season, averaging 13.2 points per game and is also the team's leading rebounder at 6.9 boards per game. Johnson leads UCO in several categories, including field goals made (122), free-throws made (53), free-throws attempted (66), rebounds (158), and blocks (32). Johnson has 17 consecutive games with at least 10 points and has done so in 20 of 23 games this season. Furthermore, Johnson's 60.1 percent mark on made field goals this season ranks second in the MIAA and 10th in all of NCAA Division II.

Micayla Haynes is Central's second-leading scorer, averaging 11.7 points per game this season. The senior guard from Guthrie, Okla. has a team-high 39 made 3-pointers this season and is second on the team with 37 steals.

Jaci Littell (9.0) and Shatoya Bryson (8.4) help out on the scoring load for the Bronchos. The two have hit a combined 60 3-pointers this season and their defensive efforts have been just as big. They've combined for 77 steals. Bryson's 50 steals in 23 games is among the best in the MIAA. Brooke Rayner, who averages 6.7 points per game, leads a second unit that helps the Bronchos maintain a high level of play for 40 minutes. Rayner also has 30 steals in 23 games, which ranks third on the team. Central Oklahoma averages 28 points per game off the bench.

Newman enters the weekend averaging 62.8 points per game. Kaitlyn Potter leads the Jets of Wichita, Kan. averaging 16.7 points per game this season. Potter's 76 made 3-pointers is also tops in the MIAA and ranks sixth nationally. Abbey George, who averages 5.9 points per game, is the team's leading rebounder at 4.5 boards per game.

Central Oklahoma has won all three meetings against Newman. The Bronchos beat an NAIA Newman 106-35 in 1996-97, the largest victory in school history for the Bronchos. Central also beat a DII Newman 93-86 in 2011-12, and in the first matchup as conference opponents, an MIAA Newman 76-52 earlier this season.

Central has just one game next week too. The Bronchos host Emporia State at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. UCO will wrap up the regular season the following week, hosting Fort Hays State (2/27) and Nebraska Kearney (2/29).

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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