Women's Basketball 1/20/2021 8:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos, Hornets, Clash Thursday In Kansas

Central And Emporia State Feature League's Scoring Leaders

EMPORIA, Kan. – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team visits Emporia State Thursday night looking to push a four-game win streak to five. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Central (6-3) defeated Newman before the holiday break and has since topped Northeastern State, Central Missouri, and Lincoln. Emporia State (6-2) beat Northwest Missouri Tuesday night. Central Oklahoma is averaging 69.2 points per game this season through nine games played. That number jumps to 73.2 during the current four-game win streak. The Bronchos shoot 42.4 percent from the floor and 29.2 percent from behind the arc. UCO averages an even 5.0 made 3-pointers per game. Central also shoots 70.2 percent from the free-throw line and averages 14.7 makes per game from the charity stripe.

Kelsey Johnson continues to lead UCO in scoring and rebounding, as well as several other categories. The senior forward from Washington, Okla. is averaging 21.3 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game. Johnson is tied for the league lead in scoring and is second in rebounding. She's the only player in the MIAA averaging a double-double.

Johnson is also shooting an even 60 percent from the floor overall this season. She has hit 75 of 125 shots through nine games played. She's hit a team-high 39 from the stripe on a team-high 46 attempts and that 84.8 percent mark is also a team high.

Brooke Rayner, who was named MIAA Player of the Week on Monday, is now averaging 10 points per game this season thanks to a big week last week. The junior guard scored 14 points to help Central Oklahoma beat 14th-ranked Central Missouri. Then Rayner scored a career-high 23 points in a win over Lincoln. Rayner has scored 80 points in eight games, is second on the team in field goals made (29) and 3-pointers made (11). She's also averaging 1.2 steals per game.

Jaci Littell is third on the team in scoring at 8.4 points per game. The sophomore forward leads the team from behind the arc with 15 made 3-pointers through nine games played. That mark is also tied for seventh in the MIAA. Littell is 23 of 31 from the free-throw line, both are the second-best marks in the lineup.

Caley Young has climbed up the Central chart and is averaging 6.0 points per game through eight games played. Young scored eight points combined in her first four games but has scored 40 in her last four, averaging an even 10 per game over that span. A true freshman, Young has also been solid on the boards, pulling down 4.0 rebounds per game. She had a season-high 12 boards last week in a win over Lincoln.

Avery Allen is averaging 4.8 points per game and 4.6 assists per game this season. The latter ranks among the best in the MIAA. Allen's 41 total assists ranks third in the league and her 4.6 average ranks fourth among all players in the MIAA.

Central Oklahoma trails Emporia State 24-7 in the all-time series. Central has won once at Emporia State, with that win coming in the 1991-92 season. UCO had a three-game home win streak over ESU until that was snapped last season.

Emporia State is led by Tre'Zure Jobe, who just edges Kelsey Johnson for the league lead in scoring at 21.8 points per game. Kali Martin (12.3) and Fredricka Sheats (10.3) also score in double figures for the Hornets. Karsen Schultz (6.0) is the team's leading rebounder.

Central will continue a week-long trip away from home Saturday when the Bronchos visit Northwest Missouri. UCO returns home next week and will face Emporia State again Thursday, Jan. 28 at Hamilton Field House.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Avery Allen: G; 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

#33 Kelsey Johnson: F; 6' 3"; Senior

#13 Jaci Littell: G; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#11 Brooke Rayner: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#42 Caley Young: F; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#1 Avery Allen
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman
: G

#33 Kelsey Johnson
: 6' 3"; Senior
: F

#13 Jaci Littell
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: G

#11 Brooke Rayner
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#42 Caley Young
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: F