Men's Basketball 12/17/2023 6:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Revived High Desert Classic Tips Off Monday

Central Oklahoma Plays Henderson State, Missouri - St. Louis In Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Central Oklahoma returns to the court Monday as part of the revived High Desert Classic with the seventh-ranked Bronchos one of 10 teams participating in the two-day event.

Central Oklahoma (9-1) takes on Henderson State (3-4) Monday at 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time in the fourth of five games at Desert Oasis High School in Las Vegas. The Bronchos will play at the same time Tuesday against Missouri – St. Louis (5-5).

The High Desert Classic was a premiere tournament in Division II and played annually from 1993-2010. The revived event is being played in honor of Jerry Hughes and John "Skip" Wagnon. Both were responsible for the long-running tournament. Hughes served as Director of Athletics at the University of Central Missouri for 40 years before his passing almost one year ago. Wagnon was AD at Central Oklahoma from 1986-2003 in addition to several other roles serving the Bronchos.

Current UCO director, Stan Wagnon, assumed his position in 2020 and is reviving the tournament to honor his father, Skip, and Hughes. Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State are co-hosting the event that also features Central Missouri and fellow MIAA side Rogers State. Henderson State is representing the Great American Conference, while UMSL and Truman State represent the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Simon Fraser (Great Northwest Athletic Conference), Colorado Mesa (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference), and West Texas A&M (Lone Star Conference), make up the field.

2023 High Desert Classic Schedule
Monday, Dec. 18
Rogers State vs. Simon Fraser, 10 a.m.
Colorado Mesa vs. West Texas A&M, 12 p.m.
Pittsburg State vs. Truman State, 2 p.m.
Central Oklahoma vs. Henderson State, 4 p.m.
Central Missouri vs. Missouri-St. Louis, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Simon Fraser vs. Colorado Mesa, 10 a.m.
West Texas A&M vs. Rogers State, 12 p.m.
Henderson State vs. Pittsburg State, 2 p.m.
Missouri-St. Louis vs. Central Oklahoma, 4 p.m.
Truman State vs. Central Missouri, 6 p.m.
**Home team each game is listed first; All times are Pacific Standard Time

HERE WE GO, BRONCHOS

Central Oklahoma is 9-1 this season and has a 3-1 record in the MIAA. The Bronchos started the year 8-0 to mark the best start in school history. Central's only setback came at Pittsburg State last weekend. UCO rebounded with a win over NAIA Tabor College before heading to Vegas.

The Bronchos have been strong on both ends of the floor this season, but the defense has been stellar. UCO ranks fourth in the country in scoring defense, giving up just 59.2 points per game. The Bronchos rank ninth in defensive field-goal percentage, holding opponents to 38.4 percent from the floor.

While the Bronchos don't rank among the nation's best on offense, UCO ranks eighth nationally in scoring margin, winning games on average by 18.9 points per game.

Central Oklahoma averages 78.1 points per game and shoots 46.6 percent from the floor. The Bronchos average 8.6 made 3-pointers per game and shoot 37.2 percent from outside. UCO averages 13.9 made free-throws per game and shoots 72 percent from the line.

UP AND DOWN THE LINEUP

Jaden Wells leads the charge for the Bronchos. The fourth-year junior is averaging 18.6 points per game as he climbs up UCO's all-time scoring list. Wells shoots 41.9 percent overall, 37.5 percent from behind the 3-point line, with 30 makes in 10 games. He also shoots 89.4 percent from the free-throw line with a team-high 42 makes there.

Wells has scored 1,400 points in his career and ranks 10th on the all-time scoring list at UCO. He also has 256 made 3-pointers in his career, which ranks second in school history. Wells is closing in on Sam Belt's school record of 263.

Wells also leads UCO on the defensive end of the floor and his 27 steals in 10 games not only leads the MIAA but is fourth-best in the country.

Danquez Dawsey is another key figure in the Broncho lineup. The true junior point guard is averaging 11.7 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game this season. He shoots 42.1 percent overall, 41.4 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 80..6 percent from the free-throw line.

Dawsey is among the best in the country with the ball in his hands. The Lawton, Oklahoma native is third in the country in total assists, 10th in assists per game, and 25th in the assist-turnover ratio (2.95). He leads the MIAA in all three categories.

Luke Haasl has been a force for the Bronchos through the first third of the season. The 6-foot-10 big man is averaging 11.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in 10 games played. Haasl is also shooting 64.0 percent from the floor, among the best in the country. He ranks 22nd nationally in blocks.

UCO's other two starters, fifth-year senior Jalyn Turner and fourth-year junior Preston Aymond, are averaging a combined 7.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Turner has played in 125 career games all at UCO. He is averaging 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in addition to 1.2 steals per game. Aymond is averaging 3.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

BRONCHO BENCH

Central Oklahoma averages 78.1 points per game and 29 of that comes off the bench. Mike Quick Jr. is leading the way at 7.0 points per game, Majok Majouk is averaging 5.5 points per game, Parker Hannah is averaging 5.4 points per game, and Matthew Willenborg is averaging 4.6 points per game.

RANKINGS REVIEW

Central Oklahoma is ranked No. 7 in both the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Top 25 and the Division II College Sports Communicators Top 25. The Bronchos were No. 3 in both polls for three weeks before suffering their first loss of the year. UCO has been ranked 31 consecutive weeks dating back to January 11, 2022.

HOW IS HENDERSON STATE

Henderson State, the Reddies from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, meet the Bronchos in Vegas with a 3-4 overall record on the season. HSU played at Harding Thursday and won 78-65 before heading west to Vegas.

Henderson State is averaging 77.1 points per game and shoots 48.8 percent from the floor overall. The Reddies shoot 34.5 percent from behind the 3-point line and average 5.4 makes per game from outside. HSU shoots 67.8 percent from the free-throw line and averages 11.7 makes per game from the stripe.

Zyon Patterson leads the team with 14.0 points per game. Clarence King (12.3), Malek Davis (11.6) and Tomislav Miholjcic (11.4) all score in double figures as well. Miholjcic averages a team-high 8.0 rebounds per game and Patterson averages 6.0 boards.

NEXT UP

Central Oklahoma is off for Christmas Break following the High Desert Classic. The Bronchos are also done with non-conference play for the season. UCO returns to Hamilton Field House Friday, Dec. 29 to host Nebraska Kearney. The Bronchos also host Fort Hays State on New Year's Eve and will play 16 more MIAA games in 2024.

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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

#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

#21 Matthew Willenborg: F; 6' 7"; 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

#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

#21 Matthew Willenborg
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F