Men's Basketball 11/9/2023 8:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Take On Central Region Challenge

No. 9 Central Oklahoma Plays Mary, Northwestern, In Tahlequah

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – No. 9 Central Oklahoma continues its season-opening road swing as the Bronchos are set for a pair of games at the Central Region Challenge, hosted by Northeastern State at the Tahlequah Event Center.

Up first is the University of Mary with tipoff scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. The Marauders of Bismarck, North Dakota are making their season debut. UCO will also take on Northwestern Oklahoma State Saturday at 3 p.m. The Rangers of Alva, Oklahoma open their season Friday night against NSU.

"Both teams we are playing this weekend are good teams and we have to be prepared to play," UCO head men's basketball coach Bob Hoffman said. "We were fortunate to start our season one week before most everyone else and that helps us going into this weekend. But you have to show up every day and compete."

Central Oklahoma is 2-0 on the year after competing in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at Florida Southern in Lakeland, Florida. The Bronchos beat No. 25 Mercyhurst 97-58 and also knocked off Cedarville 82-75.

In averaging 89.5 points per game on opening weekend, the Bronchos shot 57 percent from the floor. UCO took 100 shots on the dot and made 57 of them. Central went 22-for-39 from behind the 3-point line, a blistering 56.4 percent. And the Bronchos were 43-for-55 from the free-throw line, a 78.2 percent mark.

UCO also 30 rebounds per game, 13.5 assists per game, and forced 16 turnovers per game last weekend.

Jaden Wells led Central Oklahoma in Florida, scoring 24.5 points per game in the first two games of his junior season. The fourth-year guard from Texas shot 59.1 percent overall, 62.5 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 92.9 percent from the free-throw line. Wells hit 10 3-pointers on 16 attempts and went 13-for-14 from the line. He also had eight steals and five assists in two games.

Danquez Dawsey also had a big opening weekend. The true junior from Lawton, Oklahoma averaged 18.0 points per game on 52.4 percent shooting. He was 11-for-21 overall, 4-for-7 from behind the 3-point line, and 10-for-12 from the free-throw line. Dawsey added 10 assists and 10 rebounds in two games.

Luke Haasl's opening weekend gave Central Oklahoma three players averaging double figures heading into this weekend in Tahlequah. The big man averaged 11.5 points per game and shot a 90.9 percent in two games. Haasl went 8-for-8 in the opener and scored 19 points. He was 2-for-3 in the second game. Haasl also had 10 rebounds and four steals in two games.

Parker Hannah, a true freshman from Texas, averaged 9.5 points per game off the bench. He scored 13 points in collegiate debut last Saturday. He shot 5-for-7 from the floor, 3-for-5 from behind the arc, and went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Preston Aymond (6.5 PPG/4.0 RPG), Jalyn turner (3.5/1.5), and Mike Quick Jr. (4.0 PPG) were also key to Central's hot start last weekend.

UMary went 11-15 last season and averaged 70.8 points per game. The Marauders return six lettermen from that squad. Northwestern Oklahoma State also went 11-15 last season and averaged 77.3 points per game. The Rangers have eight back from that squad.

Central Oklahoma will play this weekend on the road in a pair of neutral site contests. The Bronchos open the doors to Hamilton Field House for the first time Sunday, Nov. 19 against Southwestern Christian.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#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

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

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