Women's Basketball 2/11/2022 10:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Visits Newman Saturday

Bronchos Begin Three-Game Road Trip In Wichita

WICHITA, Kan. – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team returns to the court Saturday with an MIAA matchup against Newman. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Central Oklahoma had a rare one-game week this week, allowing for a little extra preparation for the Jets. UCO is 13-10 this season and has a 9-8 record in the MIAA. The Bronchos are currently tied for eighth place in the league standings with five games remaining in the 2021-22 regular season. UCO can clinch a postseason berth with a win on Saturday.

Newman is 2-21 this season and 0-17 in the MIAA.

"We're focused on doing what we do," UCO assistant women's basketball coach Heather Davis said. "You have to show up every day and you have to be ready to play every day. We need to be focused on our gameplan and nothing else."

Central Oklahoma beat Newman in Edmond last month, 66-52. The Bronchos have never lost to the school two hours up the road on I-35.

UCO heads to Wichita looking to find its late season form. The Bronchos split its games last week, beating No. 22 Nebraska Kearney before falling to then No. 6 Fort Hays State.

The Bronchos are averaging 73.3 points per game this season. UCO shoots 42.2 percent from the floor, 27.8 percent from behind the 3-point line, and Central makes 78.2 percent of its free-throws.

Kelsey Johnson continues to lead the Bronchos. The senior forward is averaging 21.2 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game. She is first in the MIAA in scoring and second in the league in rebounding.

Johnson also shoots 57.7 percent from the floor and that mark leads the MIAA by over five percentage points. She ranks second in the league in free-throw percentage at 85.4 percent and is among the league leaders in makes and attempts from the line this season. Johnson is 105-for-123 at the stripe this year.

Alayzha Knapp is second Broncho averaging double figures this season. She scores 10.7 points per game. Knapp shoots 47.4 percent from the floor and 72.7 percent from the free-throw line. Knapp is also second on the squad in rebounding, pulling down 4.4 boards per game.

Brooke Rayner isn't averaging double figures but she isn't far off. The junior guard is scoring 9.5 points per game this season and is also filling up the stat sheet in other areas. Rayner averages 3.4 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, and 2.3 steals per game. She is second in the MIAA in total steals (52) and steals per game.

Rayner shoots 37.1 percent from the floor, has 26 made 3-pointers this season, and is an 88.9 percent free-throw shooter.

Aliyah Llanusa has been having an eerily similar season statistically speaking to Rayner, giving Central a solid 1-2 punch at the guard position. Llanusa is averaging 6.7 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, and 2.2 steals per game. Llanusa's 51 steals are third in the MIAA, one behind Rayner, and she is also third in the league in steals per game.

UCO gets a lot of help from a lot of different players after that top four.

Karly Wadsworth averages 5.0 points per game and has a team-high 29 made 3-pointers this season. Caley Young averages 4.9 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game. Taylor Dement and Clary Donica both average 4.5 points per game and Donica also adds 4.0 rebounds per contest.

Jaci Littell (4.2), Avery Allen (2.9) and Ginger Reece (2.5) also contribute. Allen leads the team in assists (88) and ranks in the top five in the MIAA in assists per game.

Newman's two wins this season came against NAIA competition in November. The Jets average 52 points per game this season and shoot 35.7 percent from the floor. Tiffany Dortland leads the team averaging 10.0 points per game. Britney Ho averages 8.8 points per game and Laura Bello averages an even 8.0 per contest. All three average four rebounds per game too.

Central Oklahoma opens a three-game road swing with Saturday's date at Newman. The Bronchos are scheduled to play at Rogers State next Wednesday before taking on Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Oklahoma next Saturday.

UCO closes the regular season against Central Missouri (Feb. 23) and Missouri Southern (Feb. 26) at Hamilton Field House.

The 2022 MIAA Basketball Championships are scheduled to return to historic Municipal Auditorium March 2-6. Tickets are on sale now at UCO and can be purchased by calling the athletic department, (405) 974-2175.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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