Women's Basketball 1/5/2021 11:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Visits Northeastern State

Bronchos Take Court For First Time In New Year

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team will take to the court for the first time in the new year Thursday, when Central meets longtime rival Northeastern State at the Tahlequah Event Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Central heads to Tahlequah with a 3-3 record on the season. The Bronchos started the year 2-0 before a tough week left UCO 2-3. Central snapped the skid with a win over Newman before taking its holiday break. Northeastern State is 2-5 on the season. The Riverhawks also started the year 2-0 but have dropped each of its last five since.

For the Bronchos through six games, it's been all about Kelsey Johnson. The senior forward from Washington, Okla. is averaging 22.7 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game. She's the only player in the MIAA averaging a double-double and is second in the league in both scoring and rebounding.

Johnson leads the Bronchos in several categories – minutes per game (30.2), field goals made (53), field goals attempted (89), field goal percentage (59.6), free-throws made (27), free-throws attempted (34), rebounds (61), blocks (three), and points (136).

After Johnson, UCO has several players contributing in one way or another.

Jaci Littell is second on the team with 7.2 points per game. She has a team-high eight made 3-pointers and is also third on the team with 15 made free-throws.

Brooke Rayner averages 6.6 points per game, has hit five 3-pointers in five games, and is averaging just over one steal per game – 1.2.

Avery Allen averages 6.5 points per game and leads the team with 20 assists and seven steals. Her 3.3 assists per game ranks ninth in the MIAA.

Taylor Dement and Clary Donica both average 5.0 points per game. Dement adds 1.8 steals per game, which ranks eighth in the MIAA. Donica adds 5.3 rebounds per game too.

As a team, Central averages 64.8 points per game, shoots 38.4 percent from the floor and 24.5 percent from behind the arc (4.5 makes per game). The Bronchos also shoot 70.1 from the free-throw line and average 15.7 made free-throws per game.

Northeastern State is led by the duo of Zaria Collins and Cenia Hayes. Collins averages 17.8 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game while Hayes is second on the team at 16.9 points per game and tops on the squad with 5.6 rebounds per game. Shae Sanchez also averages double figures at 13.4 points per game. Britney Ho averages nine points per game but also joins Hayes and Collins with 5.0 rebounds per game.

Central Oklahoma has an eight-game win streak going against Northeastern State, sweeping the regular season series in each of the past four seasons. But NSU does still own the all-time lead, having a 37-30 advantage in the series that dates back to 1977. UCO and Northeastern State's 67 meetings are the second most of any opponent for the Bronchos. Central and Cameron University have met 76 times.

UCO will wrap up its short, Oklahoma road trip Saturday. The Bronchos take on Rogers State at 1:30 p.m. in Claremore. Central has played RSU only twice ever. Both meetings came after the Hillcats joined the MIAA before last season. UCO is 2-0 in that series. The next Central Oklahoma home game is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 14 against Central Missouri.

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Players Mentioned

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

#3 Clary Donica: F; 6' 0"; Junior

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

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

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

#4 Taylor Dement: G; 5' 5"; Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

#3 Clary Donica
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

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

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

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

#4 Taylor Dement
: 5' 5"; Redshirt Freshman
: G