Women's Basketball 10/12/2021 9:30:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Picked Fifth In MIAA Preseason Polls

Bronchos Return 12 From Last Year's Squad

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – MIAA commissioner Mike Racy announced Tuesday at Basketball Media Day the preseason polls ahead of the 2021-22 season and the University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team was picked fifth in both the coaches' and the media poll.

READ THE MIAA RELEASE HERE

Central Oklahoma, which finished fifth in the league last season with a 14-9 record, was picked fifth in the poll of 14 league head coaches. The Bronchos were the highest selected team that did not receive a first-place vote. UCO received 121 total points.

Central was also picked fifth in the media poll with a total of 87 points.

Guy Hardaker enters his 16th season at the helm this winter. The head coach has won 281 games for the Bronchos and has led his alma mater to five national tournament appearances.

Kelsey Johnson is the leading returner in several categories. Given an eligibility extension by the NCAA due to the pandemic, Johnson is back as a fifth-year senior after posting stout numbers a year ago. The Washington, Oklahoma native averaged 18.9 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game. She shot 55.3 percent from the floor and 81.5 percent from the free-throw line.

Johnson led UCO in minutes played, field goals made and attempted, field-goal percentage, free-throws made and attempted, and free-throw percentage, as well as rebounds and blocks.

Brooke Rayner also returns after averaging a career-high 9.5 points per game last season. The standout from Stillwater made a team-high 33 threes and shot nearly 40 percent from behind the arc.

Jaci Littell, also from Stillwater, was second on the team with 56 made free-throws, second on the team with 28 made 3-pointers, and was third on the team with an 8.3 points per game average.

Caley Young, a true freshman a year ago, also averaged 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

The Bronchos will look to those four, as well as other returners Clary Donica, Avery Allen, Taylor Dement, Tayler Factor, Aliyah Llanusa, Karly Wasdworth and Macy McClendon and Megan McClendon for more production. Newcomers Alayzha Knapp and Ginger Reece both transferred in to Central and will give Hardaker's bunch new looks this season. Freshmen Rory Geer and Lexi Foreman are looking to find ways to contribute as well.

Central Oklahoma opens the 2021-22 season Friday, Nov. 12 against Northwestern Oklahoma State. The Bronchos will also play Mary (N.D.) Saturday, Nov. 13 as part of the season-opening Central Regional Classic at Hamilton Field House.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#20 Tayler Factor: F; 5' 9"; Sophomore

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

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

#22 Aliyah Llanusa: G; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#2 Macy McClendon: F; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

#0 Megan McClendon: G; 5' 6"; Freshman

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#20 Tayler Factor
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: F

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

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

#22 Aliyah Llanusa
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: G

#2 Macy McClendon
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: F

#0 Megan McClendon
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: G

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