Women's Basketball 2/21/2020 9:33:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Hosts Emporia State

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball continues its season-ending four-game homestand with the second part of that stretch Saturday afternoon. The Bronchos host Emporia State in Game No. 25 with a 1:30 p.m. tipoff scheduled for Hamilton Field House.

Central Oklahoma is 17-7 overall heading into the weekend and the Bronchos have an 11-5 record in the MIAA. UCO is currently fourth in the league standings with two weeks left in the regular season. The Bronchos are also now 10th in this season's first NCAA regional rankings, with the top-eight teams making the NCAA Tournament in three weeks.

Kelsey Johnson continues to lead the Bronchos in scoring this season, averaging 13.7 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 (132), free-throws made (57), free-throws attempted (70), rebounds (165), and blocks (33). Johnson has 17 consecutive games with at least 10 points and has done so in 21 of 24 games this season. Furthermore, Johnson's 60.8 percent mark on made field goals this season ranks not only first in the MIAA, but also sixth in all of NCAA Division II.

Micayla Haynes is Central's second-leading scorer, averaging 11.8 points per game this season. The senior guard from Guthrie, Okla. has a team-high 42 made 3-pointers this season and is second on the team with 39 steals.

Jaci Littell and Shatoya Bryson help out on the scoring load for the Bronchos, with both averaging 8.7 points per game this season. The two have hit a combined 62 3-pointers this season and their defensive efforts have been just as big. They've combined for 78 steals. Bryson's 51 steals in 24 games is among the best in the MIAA. Brooke Rayner, who averages 6.4 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 24 games, which ranks third on the team. Central Oklahoma averages 26.2 points per game off the bench.

Emporia State comes to Edmond with a 19-6 overall record and a 12-4 mark in the MIAA. ESU is led by freshman Tre'Zure Jobe, who averages 17.5 points per game. Mollie Mounsey also scores 14.6 per game.

Emporia State holds a 23-7 lead in the all-time series against the Bronchos. UCO came up short at ESU last month. Central's last win in the series came last season, in the home meeting against the Hornets. UCO has won three straight at home against Emporia.

Central Oklahoma will wrap up the 2019-20 regular season next week with a pair of home games. The Bronchos host Fort Hays State on Thursday, Feb. 27 and Nebraska Kearney on Saturday, Feb. 29. UCO will then head to Kansas City, Mo. for the MIAA Tournament, beginning Wednesday, March 4. If the Bronchos current position holds, Central would be the fourth-seed in the tournament and wouldn't play until the quarterfinals on Friday, March 6.

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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