Women's Basketball 1/4/2023 10:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Visit NSU Thursday

Central Oklahoma Takes On An Old Rival In Tahlequah

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Central Oklahoma takes its talents on the road this week for a pair of MIAA games, beginning Thursday night at Northeastern State. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

UCO is also scheduled to face Rogers State in Claremore, Oklahoma on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Central Oklahoma is 5-7 on the season and 2-6 in MIAA play, with the Bronchos coming off a win over Emporia State Monday night in Edmond. Northeastern State 4-7 overall and 1-6 in league play. NSU is on a six-game losing streak.

UCO visits the Riverhawks of Tahlequah, Oklahoma averaging 70.8 points per game, with four Bronchos averaging double figures. Central shoots 40.4 percent as a team overall, 31.7 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 74.2 percent from the free-throw line.

Alayzha Knapp is the team's leading scorer at 15.3 points per game. The junior forward has a team-high 70 made field goals this season and a team-high 33 made free-throws. She shoots 42.7 percent overall and 73.3 percent from the line. Knapp also averages 5.2 rebounds per game.

Karly Wadsworth is averaging 12.4 points per game through 12 games played. The sophomore guard shoots 36.6 percent overall and leads the team with 27 made 3-pointers. She shoots 29.7 percent from behind the 3-point line. Wadsworth also is 18-for-19 from the free-throw line, a 94.7 percent mark. She leads the team with 27 steals, a 2.3 per game average.

Brooke Rayner, UCO's lone senior, is averaging 11.8 points, 4.0 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game. The guard plays a team-high 32.7 minutes per game and is shooting 40.2 percent overall, 33.9 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 76.2 percent from the free-throw line. Rayner's 20 3-pointers are the second most on the squad.

Aliyah Llanusa, a junior guard, is the fourth Broncho in double figures at 10.6 points per game. She is also the team leader at 6.9 rebounds per game. Llanusa, who shoots 42.6 percent overall, 42.9 percent from behind the arc, and 76.2 percent from the free-throw line, also averages 3.4 assists per game and 1.8 steals per game.

Central Oklahoma also gets help from a group of seven role players that average a combined 20 points and 14 rebounds per game.

Northeastern State welcomes UCO to Tahlequah averaging 62.4 points per game. NSU posts 40.6 percent overall, 30.3 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 74.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Riverhawks average 4.8 made 3-pointers per game and 14.1 made free-throws.

Courtney Lee is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 14.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Ashton Hackler also averages 13.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, the second-best rate for both categories on the NSU roster.

The series between the Bronchos and the Riverhawks dates back to 1977, with NSU holding a 37-34 advantage. UCO has won the last 12 meetings, two in each season since the 2016-17 slate.

Central Oklahoma will travel to Rogers State Saturday afternoon. RSU is 3-10 overall and 1-6 in MIAA play heading into this weekend. The Hillcats host Newman on Thursday night.

UCO will return home next week for a pair of MIAA games. The Bronchos are scheduled to host Northwest Missouri on Thursday, Jan. 12 and Missouri Western on Saturday, Jan. 14.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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