Women's Basketball 1/5/2022 10:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Hosting 'Hawks at Hamilton

Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State Meeting For 70th All-Time Meeting

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team hosts Northeastern State Thursday at Hamilton Field House. Tipoff for the MIAA matchup of longtime rivals is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Central Oklahoma is 8-5 overall this season and has a 4-3 record in MIAA contests. Northeastern State is 2-8 overall and 0-4 in league play.

Thursday's matchup will be the 70th all-time meeting between the two schools. Central Oklahoma has won 10 consecutive games in the rivalry. NSU owns a 37-32 advantage in the series.

"It's always a good game against Northeastern," UCO head women's basketball coach Guy Hardaker said. "It doesn't matter what the records say, they'll play us tough, and we better be ready for a fight. We need to show up focused and ready to play."

Central got back in the win column with a victory over Newman on Monday, now the Bronchos are looking for a win streak Thursday night.

UCO averages 71.6 points per game. The Bronchos shoot 41.6 percent from the floor overall, 26.4 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 78.6 percent from the free-throw line. Central averages 5.3 made 3-pointers per game and 14.2 made free-throws per contest.

Defensively, UCO allows 67.2 points per game, keeping a plus-4.5 margin in the scoring column. The Bronchos hold opponents to 39.5 percent shooting overall, 30.4 percent shooting from behind the 3-point line, and 68.7 percent from the free-throw line. Teams are averaging 6.5 made 3-pointers per game against Central and 14.0 free-throws per contest.

Kelsey Johnson leads UCO in virtually every statistical category in addition to her leadership off the floor.

The senior forward averages 19.8 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game through 13 games played this season. She ranks third in the MIAA in scoring and second in rebounding and is one of just two players in the league averaging a double-double. Johnson ranks 18th nationally in scoring and 30th in rebounding.

Johnson also plays more than any other Broncho, averaging 28.9 minutes per game. She shoots 54.3 percent overall, 33.3 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 85.3 percent from the charity stripe.

Alayzha Knapp offers Central a strong second post option and is averaging 10.4 points per game through 13 games played. She is second on the team behind Johnson in field goals made (57), field goals attempted (115), and free-throws attempted (31). The sophomore forward is fourth on the team in rebounding at 4.5 per game.

Brooke Rayner and Aliyah Llanusa have built a strong guard combo for the Bronchos this season on both offense and defense. Rayner averages 7.2 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game to go with a team-high 2.0 steals per game. Llanusa averages 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game to go with 1.9 steals per contest.

Rayner and Llanusa rank fourth and fifth in the MIAA in total steals this season.

Karly Wadsworth adds 6.9 points per game. The second-year freshman guard is the shooting threat for the Bronchos. Wadsworth has a team-high 24 made 3-pointers and shoots 38.7 percent from behind the arc. She ranks seventh in the MIAA in made 3-pointers and has made at least one in every game but one this season. Wadsworth sank a career-high five 3-pointers at Pittsburg State last month.

Caley Young and Clary Donica give Central Oklahoma a similar strong post presence with the second team as Johnson and Knapp provide the starting unit.

Young averages 5.6 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game. Donica also averages 5.6 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game.

Jaci Littell also gives Central a solid option on the second team, averaging 5.3 points per game. She is another threat to score from outside, with 10 made 3-pointers in 13 games, and can also get to the line at will, with a 23-for-28 mark at the free-throw line this season. Littell also averages 2.2 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game.

Northeastern State averages 63.7 points per game. Zaria Collins leads the team with 15.1 points per game and also averages 7.0 rebounds per contest. Maleeah Langstaff, second in scoring at 14.6 points per game, leads the team in rebounding at 9.9 per outing.

Central Oklahoma will wrap up a three-game new year homestand Saturday. The Bronchos beat Newman Monday night in Edmond and will host Rogers State Saturday at 1:30 p.m. to wrap up the weekend.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

#21 Karly Wadsworth: G; 5' 8"; Freshman

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

#15 Alayzha Knapp: F; 6' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

#21 Karly Wadsworth
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: G

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

#15 Alayzha Knapp
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: F