Men's Basketball 11/16/2023 4:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Makes Home Debut Sunday

Highly Ranked Bronchos Play Southwestern Christian In First Game At Hamilton Field House In 2023-24

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma opens the doors at Hamilton Field House for the first time this season Sunday evening when the Bronchos host Southwestern Christian. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.

UCO is off to a 4-0 start this season. The Bronchos are ranked No. 9 in the country in the NABC Preseason Top 25. The poll of head coaches around the country will release its first regular season poll next week. The D2CSC Top 25 came out this week and has Central Oklahoma No. 3 in the country according to Division II college sports communicators.

Southwestern Christian, the Eagles from Bethany, Oklahoma, has an 0-2 record to start the season. The NAIA school is also 0-2 in exhibitions against Southern Nazarene and Arkansas Pine Bluff. SCU is playing at Oklahoma Baptist in another exhibition Thursday night.

The Bronchos have an 8-0 record against Southwestern Christian all-time with fifth-year head coach Bob Hoffman owning a 3-0 record against the Eagles.

"We are excited to play our first home game and it'll be a good test against an athletic team," Hoffman said. "We have been so grateful to our fans that traveled to Florida two weeks ago and to Tahlequah last week, but we're excited to be playing in front of more of our fans at home. It should be an exciting day."

Central Oklahoma is averaging 73.0 points per game after four games played this season. The Bronchos shoot 47.2 percent overall, 46.5 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 77.6 percent from the free-throw line. UCO averages 8.1 made 3-pointers per game and 14.9 made free-throws per contest.

Central also averages 34.8 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 9.8 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game.

Jaden Wells, who was named MIAA Player of the Week earlier this week, leads the Bronchos in scoring at 22.5 points per game. The junior from Texas is shooting 49 percent overall, 50 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 89.3 percent from the free-throw line.

Wells has moved up to 17th place on Central Oklahoma's all-time scoring list with 1,304 career points. He is second on the school's all-time list with 241 made 3-pointers. This season, Wells is 15-for-30 from behind the arc in four games played.

Danquez Dawsey, also a junior, is averaging 12.5 points per game. The point guard is averaging 5.8 rebounds per game and 4.8 assists per game to go along with 1.3 steals per game. Dawsey shoots 42.5 percent overall, 50 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 84.6 percent from the free-throw line.

Luke Haasl, at 8.8 points and a team-high 7.0 rebounds per game, is another force for the Bronchos this season. He shoots 61.5 percent overall.

The Bronchos also have a handful of players chipping in between 3.0 and 4.8 points per game.

Preston Aymond and Parker Hannah both average 4.8 points per game, with Aymond adding 4.5 rebounds per game. Jalyn Turner and Mike Quick Jr. average 3.8 points per game. And Ben Averitt (3.5) and Majok Majouk (3.0) add to the list of options UCO has on the offensive end of the floor.

Central Oklahoma's defense has been stifling in four games this season. The Bronchos allow just 55.8 points per game and hold opponents to 39.9 percent shooting overall. UCO holds the opposition to 27.1 percent on 3-point attempts.

The Bronchos also force 15.8 turnovers per game, with 9.8 steals per game.

Southwestern Christian is averaging 58.0 points per game this season with the team shooting 40.4 percent overall. The Eagles shoot 30.6 percent from behind the arc and 68.0 percent from the free-throw line. Shawn Hopkins has a team-high 12.5 points per game. Ronald Moore, who averages 8.5 points per game, also averages 8.5 rebounds per game and leads the team on the glass.

Central Oklahoma began this season with four games away from home but now has a four-game homestand on the horizon. The Bronchos host SCU Sunday evening, and Tabor College (Kan.) next Sunday night. UCO also hosts Central Missouri on Nov. 30 and Lincoln Dec. 2 for the first two MIAA games of the season.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Ben Averitt: G; 6' 6"; Sophomore

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

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

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

#0 Mike Quick Jr.: G; 6' 5"; Sophomore

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

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

#5 Majok Majouk: F; 6' 10"; Sophomore

#22 Parker Hannah: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#12 Ben Averitt
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: G

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

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

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

#0 Mike Quick Jr.
: 6' 5"; Sophomore
: G

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

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

#5 Majok Majouk
: 6' 10"; Sophomore
: F

#22 Parker Hannah
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G