Skip To Main Content

University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Jaci Littell
56
Newman Newman 3-14,3-14 Mid-America Intercollegiate
76
Winner Central Okla. CentOK 10-6,10-6 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Newman Newman
3-14,3-14 Mid-America Intercollegiate
56
Final
76
Central Okla. CentOK
10-6,10-6 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Newman Newman 16 12 15 13 56
Central Okla. CentOK 17 13 26 20 76

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Chris Brannick

Bronchos Outrun The Jets of Wichita

Big Second Half Run Sends Central To Victory Lane

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team used a big second half to surge past Newman Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Field House. The Bronchos won 76-56 in the MIAA matchup.
 
"We didn't have much rhythm in the first half and that hurt us a bit," UCO head coach Guy Hardaker said. "We got some things going in the second half and our defense stepped up too so that helped. Today was a good team win for us."
 
Jaci Littell led all scorers with 20 points. The sophomore from Stillwater, Oklahoma hit 7 of 14 shots, including 4-for-8 from behind the 3-point line, and also made two free-throws. Littell added five rebounds and two assists to her stat line as well.
 
Kelsey Johnson scored 15 points to go with 10 rebounds. She was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and made 5 of 7 from the charity stripe. Johnson also had three assists.
 
Clary Donica scored nine off the bench and Tayler Factor and Taylor Dement each scored eight. The Bronchos outscored Newman 35-14 in bench points Saturday.
 
"I think our bench did a great job of keeping us going early when we weren't playing well and then keeping up that level of play late in the game," Hardaker said. "They played really well and any coach will tell you it's always good when you have 10 or more players that are contributing."
 
Central went back and forth with Newman early on Saturday. There were four lead changes in the first 10 minutes of play and also four ties. The Bronchos trailed by as many as five points early, but led led 17-16 at the first break. Johnson had six in the first quarter and Donica added five to help UCO on offense.
 
Central did much better defensively in the second quarter, but also didn't run away with it yet because the UCO offense struggled from the floor. The Bronchos forced five turnovers in the second quarter and scored four points off of those turnovers. UCO also held Newman to 37 percent shooting and a meager 23.1 percent from 3-point range, giving up just three makes from outside to the Jets.
 
Central did make its big run in the third quarter. The Bronchos built a 13-point lead near the end of the quarter thanks to a 14-0 run.
 
Donica's layup with 4:36 to go in the third quarter started the run and gave UCO a 42-41 lead. Kaci Richardson hit a layup and made a free-throw on consecutive possessions. Then Dement (six) and Factor (three) added to the run. The Bronchos hit 4 of 5 shots, one three from Factor, and 5 of 6 free-throws in the stretch. The 14-0 last 3:01.
 
UCO led 56-43 to start the fourth quarter. The Bronchos outscored Newman 20-13 in the final 10 minutes to earn the victory.
 
Central swept the season series from Newman after winning the earlier meeting in December. The Bronchos have never lost against Newman in six tries.
 
Central finished the day shooting 42.6 percent. The Bronchos made 26 of 61 shots. Central hit 8 of 19 threes, a 42.1 percent mark, and added 16 free-throws on 19 attempts from the line.
 
Richardson finished with five points, four rebounds, and three steals. Karly Wadsworth added three points off the bench, sinking the only 3-pointer she attempted. Caley Young, Avery Allen, Brooke Rayner, and Maddie Harelson all scored two points for Central Saturday. Allen led the team too with four assists.
 
Central Oklahoma will be back in action early next week – pending weather – when the Bronchos travel to Claremore, Oklahoma to take on Rogers State in a game originally scheduled for early January. The Bronchos are scheduled to play at RSU Monday afternoon before hosting the Hillcats Thursday night.
Print Friendly Version
Skip Ad
Skip Sponsors