Women's Basketball 2/22/2022 1:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Hosts Central Missouri

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team opens the final week of the 2021-22 regular season Wednesday with a matchup against Central Missouri. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Hamilton Field House.

Central Oklahoma is 16-10 this season and has a 12-8 record in the MIAA. UCM is 17-10 overall and has a 13-7 record in the MIAA.

"When you get to the last week of the season these games are just like playoff games," UCO head women's basketball coach Guy Hardaker said. "So it's really important that we treat the game like that. We have to come in focused on doing our job and executing our gameplan."

Central Oklahoma is tied for sixth place MIAA standings and is just one game behind UCM for fifth place. The Bronchos have clinched a spot in the MIAA Basketball Championships next month in Kansas City, Missouri. The top 10 teams will convene at Municipal Auditorium March 2-6 for the postseason tournament.

UCO welcomes UCM to Hamilton Field House on Wednesday looking to continue a three-game win streak. The Bronchos beat Newman, Rogers State and Northeastern State over the past two weeks and are aiming to end the year with two more wins.

Central Oklahoma is averaging 74.0 points per game this season. The Bronchos are shooting 43.3 percent from the floor overall this season with a 28.9 percent mark on shots from behind the 3-point line. UCO averages 5.3 made 3-pointers per game. Central is also shooting 78.6 percent from the free-throw line and averages 14.1 made free-throws per contest.

UCO shot 68.0 percent from the floor in a win over Rogers State last Wednesday. That mark set a new school record for best field-goal percentage in one game in school history.

Kelsey Johnson, named MIAA Player of the Week for the fourth time this season earlier this week, leads Central into the final week of the regular season.

Johnson is averaging 21.3 points per game, the most in the MIAA and the fourth-most in the country. She also shoots 59.6 percent from the floor, the best in the MIAA and the ninth-best rate in the country. Johnson is second in the MIAA in rebounding (9.6 per game) and free-throw percentage (85.2).

Alayzha Knapp has provided Central Oklahoma a strong second option in the post this season. The sophomore forward is averaging 10.4 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game. She shoots 47.6 percent from the floor overall and 72.9 percent from the free-throw line.

Brooke Rayner gives Central Oklahoma three players averaging double figures this season. She is averaging an even 10.0 points per game. Rayner, a junior guard, is filling up the stat sheet in this her fourth season. She shoots 39.3 percent overall, leads the team with 34 made 3-pointers, and is an 87.2 percent free-throw shooter. Rayner also averages 3.5 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, and 2.3 steals per game.

Aliyah Llanusa is averaging 7.2 points per game and, like Rayner, is doing a little bit of everything. She shoots 36.2 percent overall, has 18 made 3-pointers, and is a 71.2 percent free-throw shooter. Llanusa averages 3.3 rebounds per game, 2.1 steals per game, and 2.0 assists per game.

Rayner and Llanusa are also two of the best guards in the conference in steals. Rayner is second in the MIAA in total steals and steals per game while Llanusa is fourth in both.

Karly Wadsworth and Caley Young, both second-year freshmen, are both averaging 5.1 points per game this season. Wadsworth is second on the team in made 3-pointers, with 33 total in 25 games. Young is also adding 4.0 rebounds per game to her contribution.

Clary Donica adds 4.4 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game. Jaci Littell adds 4.2 points per game. And Taylor Dement adds 4.1 points per game. Avery Allen, who averages 3.0 points per game, also averages 4.0 assists per game. That mark ranks fourth in the MIAA.

Central Missouri comes to Edmond averaging 70.0 points per game and the team shoots 45.1 percent from the floor. Brooke Littrell (20.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG) and Nija Collier (18.6, 11.3) lead the team. Olivia Nelson also averages 14.0 points per game and 4.5 assists per game.

UCO is looking to avenge a loss at Central Missouri last month. The Bronchos dropped an 88-80 decision on the road Jan. 13.

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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