Women's Basketball 1/27/2021 8:06:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Hosts Emporia State

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team is scheduled to take on Emporia State Thursday night at Hamilton Field House. Tipoff for the MIAA matchup is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

The university is continuing its temporary policy to not allow spectators at athletic events. The game will air live on The MIAA Network and KOKC 95.3 FM.

Central (7-4) is aiming for payback after a three-point loss at Emporia State last Thursday. The Bronchos trailed 76-73 with 20 seconds left but forced a turnover and had a chance to tie it on the last shot but came up short. Emporia State is 8-3 this season.

"I think that we played really well last week at their place, but we didn't play well enough," UCO head coach Guy Hardaker said. "We led most of the first half and we won the fourth quarter, but they had a stretch in the third quarter that did us in. If we can prevent that, we'll have a chance."

Central Oklahoma welcomes Emporia State to Hamilton Field House trying to get a new win streak going. The Bronchos took a four-game win streak into Emporia, Kansas last Thursday before suffering the minor setback. UCO then continued on the road with a 61-51 win at Northwest Missouri Saturday afternoon. Central has won 5 of 6 overall.

The Bronchos are averaging 68.8 points per game this season. UCO shoots 41.5 percent overall, 29.2 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 71.6 percent from the free-throw line. Central is making 5.2 3-pointers per game and 15.1 free-throws per game.

Kelsey Johnson has been the leading scorer and rebounder for the Bronchos all season. The senior forward from Washington, Oklahoma is averaging 20.7 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game. She's been at the top of Central's charts in both categories all season, but she's also been at the top of those same two lists in the MIAA all season.

Johnson is second in the MIAA in scoring and second in the MIAA in rebounding. But she's the only player in the league averaging at least 10 points in both. Johnson is also one of only two dozen players in the country averaging at least 10 points and 10 rebounds per game and she's one of just nine players in the country averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Johnson has posted a double-double in seven of 11 games for the Bronchos this season, including in each of the last three games. She's scored in double figures in all 11 games this season and has never had any fewer than eight rebounds.

Brooke Rayner lands second on the team in scoring at 8.9 points per game. The junior averaged 18 per game two weeks ago during a two-game UCO homestand. Rayner is second on the team with 12 made 3-pointers and also adds 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game this season.

Jaci Littell has been second or third in scoring averages for the Bronchos all season. She's averaging 8.5 points per game through 11 games this season. Littell has made a team-high 16 threes and is shooting 32 percent from behind the arc. She's also second on the team in made free-throws (29) and free-throws attempted (39). Littell is also one of three players on the roster averaging at least one steal per game. She has 11 in 11 games.

Avery Allen continues to lead the UCO offense from her point guard position. The redshirt freshman has 45 total assists in 11 games. That number ranks fourth in the MIAA as does her 4.1 assists per game average. Allen had a season-high nine assists Jan. 7 at Northeastern State. She's also had eight assists in a game twice this season (at Washburn & vs. Central Missouri).

Caley Young, averaging 5.9 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game, has been a key contributor for the Bronchos as of late. Kaci Richardson (4.1 points/4.7 rebounds) has been valuable off the bench as well.

Emporia State is led by Tre'Zure Jobe, who barely edges out Johnson for the league lead in scoring. Jobe averages 21.1 points per game this season – she scored 14 against Central last Thursday. Karsen Schultz (11.3) and Fredricka Sheats (10.0) are also key players for the Lady Hornets.

Central Oklahoma is scheduled to play two this weekend. After hosting Emporia State Thursday night, the Bronchos will welcome Washburn to Hamilton Field House Saturday afternoon. UCO is also looking to avenge a loss at Washburn in early December.

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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

#44 Kaci Richardson: F; 5' 10"; Senior

#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

#44 Kaci Richardson
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

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