Men's Basketball 1/19/2023 6:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

No. 4 UCO Hosts Newman

Central Oklahoma Puts 10-Game Win Streak On The Line Saturday

EDMOND – No. 4 Central Oklahoma welcomes Newman to Hamilton Field House for a Saturday afternoon affair in what will be the first of two meetings with UCO's closest league opponent. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Central Oklahoma is 17-1 this season – tied for the most wins in the country – and the Bronchos have a 11-1 record in league play. The Newman Jets of Wichita, Kansas are 6-11 overall and 2-9 in the MIAA.

"We're focused on ourselves right now and playing the game we can play," UCO head men's coach Bob Hoffman said. "We've been fortunate this season, but we're focused on sticking to our game plan and doing the things that have helped us get to this point."

Central Oklahoma is one of the best teams in the country. The Bronchos are ranked No. 4 in the national coaches' poll and the national media poll. UCO also has one of the best defenses in the country, ranking No. 1 in defensive field-goal percentage, fourth in scoring defense, and seventh in 3-point field-goal percentage.

But UCO also boasts some impressive offensive numbers, ranking No. 6 in the nation in scoring margin, averaging a plus-19.4 margin of victory through 18 games played this season.

Central Oklahoma averages 78.3 points per game this season and the Bronchos only allow 58.9 points per game. UCO shoots 46.6 percent overall, 35 percent from behind the 3-point line with an average of 7.7 makes per game, and 75.1 percent from the free-throw line with an average of 16.6 makes per game.

UCO also has a plus-4.7 margin in rebounding and plus-4.1 in the turnover game.

Jaden Wells, who was named to the Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List earlier this week, leads the Bronchos in scoring at 18.8 points per game. That mark also leads the MIAA. Wells is shooting 46.3 percent overall, 46.4 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 90.8 percent from the free-throw line.

He has a team- and league-high 58 made 3-pointers through 18 games played as well and the sophomore guard also averages 4.3 rebounds per game this season.

Camryn Givens is Central Oklahoma's second-leading scorer at 13.2 points per game. He is shooting 47.8 percent overall, 36.7 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line. Givens is also the second-leading rebounder on the team at 6.1 boards per game.

Curtis Haywood adds 11.8 points per game and does a lot in every facet of the game. The senior forward averages a team-high 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He also leads the team with 35 steals. Haywood ranks among the league leaders in all of these categories. He is Top 20 in scoring and is the only player in the league to rank in the Top 10 in rebounds, assists, blocks and steals.

Preston Aymond has played in and started all 18 games this season. The third-year sophomore forward is averaging 7.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game this season, to along with 0.8 blocks per game. Third-year sophomore forward Luke Haasl, who averages 6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds, and a league-high 1.5 blocks per game, gives Central two dominant big men in the lineup.

Jalyn Turner (4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds) and Danquez Dawsey (4.3 points, 2.6 rebounds) have both been big role players this season for the Bronchos.

Newman comes to Edmond averaging 68.2 points per game and allowing 74.1 per outing. Led by Stevie Strong, 16.6 points per game, the Jets are shooting 41.2 percent overall, 33.7 percent from behind the arc, and 71.1 percent from the free-throw line.

Central Oklahoma has 10 games left this season, with the Bronchos set to play five at home, including Saturday, and five on the road. UCO visits Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern next weekend before welcoming Nebraska Kearney and Fort Hays State to Edmond in two weeks.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Preston Aymond: F; 6' 7"; Sophomore

#3 Danquez Dawsey: G; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#33 Camryn Givens: F; 6' 6"; Senior

#10 Jalyn Turner: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#2 Jaden Wells: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#0 Curtis Haywood: G; 6' 5"; Senior

#11 Luke Haasl: F; 6' 10"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#23 Preston Aymond
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: F

#3 Danquez Dawsey
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: G

#33 Camryn Givens
: 6' 6"; Senior
: F

#10 Jalyn Turner
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F

#2 Jaden Wells
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#0 Curtis Haywood
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G

#11 Luke Haasl
: 6' 10"; Sophomore
: F