Women's Basketball 2/14/2023 9:57:00 AM Chris Brannick

UCO Hosts Rogers State Wednesday Night

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma is scheduled to play its final two home games of the 2022-23 season this week, with a Wednesday-Saturday split against two in-state rivals.

Up first is Rogers State Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

UCO is 8-14 on the season and has a 5-13 record in MIAA play. Rogers State is 4-20 overall and 2-16 in league play. The two schools met Jan. 7 in Claremore, Oklahoma and Central picked up an 83-70 win. The Bronchos are 7-0 against Rogers State in the short all-time series dating back to 2019.

"We played one of our best games of the season last weekend and we have to be focused on playing at that level this week," UCO head women's coach Emma Andrews said. "We're trying to make sure we stay in the hunt for the MIAA tournament and that means we need to come out focused and ready to play this week."

UCO is coming off a big road win over Washburn on Saturday. The Bronchos are a half-game back of Washburn for ninth place in the league standings. At 10th, UCO would be the last team in the tournament. The Bronchos have Rogers State (14th) Wednesday, and Northeastern State (12th) on Saturday. UCO also plays Northwest Missouri (eighth) next Thursday and finishes the regular season with Newman (11th) on Feb. 25.

Central Oklahoma welcomes Rogers State to Hamilton Field House on Wednesday averaging 68.7 points per game. The Bronchos are shooting 39.5 percent overall, 29.9 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 74.1 percent from the free-throw line. UCO averages 6.3 made 3-pointers per game and 12.5 made free-throws per game.

Defensively, Central allows 73.9 points per game with opponents shooting 40.9 percent overall. UCO holds its opponents to 32.6 percent from behind the 3-point line, with 7.2 makes per game, and 73.9 percent from the free-throw line, with 15.9 makes per game.

Karly Wadsworth is UCO's leading scorer this season at 12.9 points per game. She scored a career-high 30 in the win at Rogers State earlier this season. Wadsworth has made a team-high 98 field goals and 47 3-pointers, while being fourth on the team with 41 made free-throws. She also averages 1.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

Alayzha Knapp averages 12.4 points per game to go with 4.4 rebounds per game. Knapp also has 21 blocked shots and 21 steals in 18 games played.

Brooke Rayner is third on the team in scoring this season at 11.4 points per game. The senior guard eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career Saturday at Washburn. She entered the game with 998 points and posted a career-high 32 in the win. Rayner also has a team-high 45 steals this season and just passed 200 for her career. She tied a career-high with six steals Saturday at Washburn.

Aliyah Llanusa is the fourth Broncho averaging double figures this season at 10.5 points per game. She is also the team's leading rebounder at 6.5 boards per game. Llanusa has a team-high 67 made free-throws and leads the team with 93 attempts as well. She adds 2.9 assists per game and 1.6 steals per game.

Aspen Williston is marginally under double digit scoring this season, with the senior forward averaging 9.8 points per game. She adds 4.5 rebounds per game and 2.2 blocks per game. Williston ranks second in the MIAA in total blocks (49) and blocks per game. Her 49 blocks also ranks fifth in UCO history for one season.

Rogers State is averaging 55 points per game this season and gives up 67 on average. The Hillcats shoot 36.1 percent overall, 27.9 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 67.6 percent from the free-throw line. RSU is led by Bailey Kliewer, who averages 12.5 points per game. Trinity Jackson (5.0 PPG) is the team's leading rebounder at 6.5 boards per game.

Central Oklahoma hosts Rogers State Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The Bronchos will host Northeastern State Saturday at 1:30 p.m., with a brief pregame ceremony to honor seniors Brooke Rayner and River Romine before their final home game at UCO.

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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

#12 River Romine: G; 5' 6"; Senior

#30 Aspen Williston: F; 6' 4"; Senior

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

#12 River Romine
: 5' 6"; Senior
: G

#30 Aspen Williston
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F