Men's Basketball 1/27/2021 12:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

UCO Set To Take On Emporia State

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma men's basketball team hosts Emporia State Thursday night with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff scheduled for the MIAA matchup at Hamilton Field House.

Central (3-5) topped Emporia State last Thursday in the first of the two meetings between the schools. UCO cruised to its second win in a row with the 71-59 win. The Bronchos did come up short in their second game last week at Northwest Missouri, so Central is looking to get back in the win column with another matchup against Emporia State.

UCO heads into this week's action averaging 72.4 points per game through eight games played this season. Central shoots 40.3 percent from the floor, 35 percent from 3-point land with 7.8 made threes per game, and 73.7 percent from the free-throw line, with 16.1 made free-throws per game.

Camryn Givens is the leading scorer for Central. The junior forward has played and started in all eight games this season. He's averaging 13.8 points per game. Givens is also the team's second leading rebounder at 6.4 boards per game.

Givens leads UCO in several categories, including minutes played (29 per game), made field goals (37), field goals attempted (79), made 3-pointers (14), 3-pointers attempted (35), and blocks (four).

Callen Haydon is right behind Givens in scoring. The junior point guard is averaging 11.5 points per game. Haydon is the team leader not only on the floor from his point guard position, but also in a couple of statistical categories. He leads the team with 34 made free-throws and 40 attempted free-throws. That 85 percent mark is also a team best and ranks fifth among all players in the MIAA.

Haydon is also Central's leader in assists. He has 25 in eight games and that 3.1 assists per game average ranks 14th in the MIAA.

Isaiah Wade is Central's third leading scorer at 10.3 points per game and is the leader on the boards at 8.3 rebounds per game. Wade has played in 7 of 8 games for the Bronchos this season and has posted two double-doubles. He has scored in double figures in five games and twice has grabbed at least 10 rebounds.

Justin Nimmer is averaging 7.1 points per game this season, lending a hand in the Central offense. Jaden Wells, who was put into the starting lineup two weeks ago, is averaging 6.0 points per game. He is second on the team with 11 made 3-pointers but has made eight of those in the last three games since moving into the starting lineup. Shemar Smith, at 5.0 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game, has also become a regular contributor for the Bronchos over the past few weeks.

Emporia State comes to Edmond with a 7-6 record. When the Bronchos beat the Hornets last Thursday, it was the fifth loss in six games. ESU bounced back with a win over its rival, Washburn, this past Saturday.

ESU averages 70.8 points per game, shoots 47.5 percent from the floor and 34.8 percent from behind the arc. Jumah'Ri Turner (17.4) and Austin Downing (13.2) are the team leaders in points per game.

Central Oklahoma will continue a week-long homestand Saturday when the Bronchos welcome Washburn to Hamilton Field House. That matchup is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#33 Camryn Givens: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#0 Justin Nimmer: G; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#23 Shemar Smith: G; 6' 7"; Redshirt Freshman

#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

#23 Shemar Smith
: 6' 7"; Redshirt Freshman
: G

#2 Isaiah Wade
: 6' 7"; Senior
: F

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

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