Men's Basketball 1/20/2021 9:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Visits Emporia State Thursday

Bronchos Look For Second Win In A Row

EMPORIA, Kan. – The University of Central Oklahoma men's basketball team hits the road this week for a pair of MIAA games and that starts with a Thursday night date with Emporia State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from White Auditorium.

The Bronchos head north on I-35 with a 2-4 record this season but are coming off a victory last week against Central Missouri. UCO scored a season-high 89 points in the win. Emporia State is 6-5 this season.

UCO averages 73.3 points per game this season through six games played. And speaking of playing six games, Central has played less than any other school in the league. The Bronchos have had seven games postponed so far this season. UCO also averages 40.6 percent from the floor overall, 32 percent from behind the arc, and 75.7 percent from the free-throw line.

Camryn Givens leads all Broncho scorers at 14.2 points per game through six games played. Givens leads the team in several categories. The junior forward carries the team high in field goals made (28), field goals attempted (63), 3-pointers made (eight), 3-pointers attempted (26), and blocks (four). He is second on the team in both made and attempted free-throws (21-for-24).

Justin Nimmer isn't averaging double figures in scoring this season however, the sophomore guard/forward is averaging 8.8 points per game. Nimmer has filled up the stat sheet in almost each of the six games he has played this season. Nimmer is averaging 5.0 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, and just under one steal per game.

Isaiah Wade is averaging 9.6 points per game this season and 8.4 rebounds per game through five games played. He's shooting 46.5 percent from the field and is 7-for-10 from the free-throw line. Wade has also posted two double-doubles. He has a season-high 18 points against Washburn and pulled down a season-high 14 rebounds against Pittsburg State.

Junior guard Callen Haydon is averaging 11.7 points per game this season, aided by a 20-point outing in a win over Central Missouri last week. Haydon leads the team in free-throws made and attempted, having hit 31 of 36 tries from the line this season. He also averages just under three assists per game and 2.2 rebounds per contest through six games played this season.

Jaden Wells made his first collegiate start last week in what was his sixth collegiate game and the true freshman from Dallas, Texas didn't disappoint. Wells scored 14 points to go with five rebounds and two steals. He hit 3 of 6 shots, all from behind the arc, and went 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. Wells was the fourth-leading scorer in the DFW area last season as a high schooler. He is averaging 4.8 points per game this season with the Bronchos and is second on the team with six made 3-pointers.

Central Oklahoma owns a 25-15 advantage over Emporia State in the all-time series. The Bronchos and the Hornets first met back in the 1928-29 season. Central is up 11-6 since joining the MIAA in 2012. The teams split last season's regular season meetings, 1-1, with the home team winning both contests.

Emporia State welcomes Central Oklahoma to White Auditorium having lost four of its last five games. ESU averages 70.1 points per game and gives up 69.2 per contest. Jumah'Ri Turner leads the team in scoring at 16.9 points per game. Austin Downing gives Emporia two players scoring in double figures with his 12.9 points per game mark. Dallas Bailey (5.5) and Gage McGuire (5.3) are the two leading rebounders for ESU.

Central Oklahoma is scheduled to take on Northwest Missouri Saturday afternoon in Maryville, Mo. The Bronchos are looking to snap an eight-game slide against the No. 1 ranked team in the country.

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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

#24 Jaden Wells: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

#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

#24 Jaden Wells
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G

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