Men's Basketball 11/20/2024 8:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Renews SWOSU Rivalry Thursday

Bronchos Visit Bulldogs In Non-Conference Battle

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Central Oklahoma returns from a week-long layoff for another non-conference matchup Thursday night at Southwestern Oklahoma State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

UCO is 2-1 on the young season. The Bronchos opened the year with back-to-back home wins as part of the Central Region Challenge in Edmond. UCO dropped a close battle with then No. 3 West Texas A&M at home last Thursday.

After spending the entire week prepping for Southwestern (2-1), Central is aimed at getting back in the win column.

"We had a good week of practice and we're ready to get back out there," UCO head coach Bob Hoffman said. "It's early and we're still figuring out a few things with our lineup, so getting back on the floor will help us get that sorted out. Our big thing is just to be ready to play when the ball goes up and give our best effort for 40 minutes."

The veteran coach with more than 700 collegiate wins has 96 leading the Bronchos since 2019. Thursday will mark the first time he's faced SWOSU while at Central. The last time the two schools played was 2018 when UCO won 114-82.

Central Oklahoma and Southwestern have met 155 times on the hardwood over more than 100 years. For UCO, that mark is tied with Southeastern Oklahoma State for most matchups in school history. The Bronchos own a 79-76 advantage in the rivalry.

This season, Central Oklahoma is averaging 86.7 points per game with a +8.0 scoring margin. The Bronchos shoot 49.5 percent from the floor overall with a 34.5 percent mark from behind the 3-point line. UCO hits 6.7 threes per game. The Bronchos also shoot 72.3 percent from the free-throw line and average 20.0 made free-throws per game.

All five starters average double figures for UCO. The group combines for 72.0 points per game through the first three games.

Israel Hart leads the group at 18.0 points per game to go with 4.7 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. JV Seat is averaging 15.3 points per game and chips in 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game.

Jordan Thompson posts 15.0 points per game, 6.0 assists per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, and 2.7 steals per game. Luke Haasl goes for 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. And Jacobi Sebock rounds it out a 11.7 points per game and a team-high 6.3 rebounds per game.

Seat (seven) and Thompson (six) are the two leading 3-point shooters through three games. Hart (25) and Haasl (10) have the most made free-throws on the team.

Matthew Willenborg comes off the bench to lead the Bronchos. The sophomore forward averages 7.0 points per game and is tied with Sebock for the team lead at 6.3 rebounds per game. He also has seven blocks in three games for a team-high 2.1 per game.

Jarreth Ingram adds 5.0 points and three rebounds per game this season. UCO averages 16.3 bench points per game. After Willenborg and Ingram, the Bronchos get 2.0 points from Parker Hannah, 1.3 from Ben Averitt, and 1.0 from Jack Robinson.

Southwestern averages 72.0 points per game through three games played this season. The Bulldogs have scored 216 points and have given up 216 points in the first two weeks of the season.

SWOSU lost the opener to Newman, 80-64, in Arkansas two weeks ago before beating Missouri Southern, 76-69, the next day. Southwestern added another win over Oklahoma Christian last week and like UCO, had a full week off before Thursday's game.

Central Oklahoma will return home for the next four games, hosting Science & Arts Sunday at 4 p.m. With another week off, UCO is scheduled to host UT Dallas Sunday, Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. inside Hamilton Field House.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#0 Israel Hart: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#33 Jarreth Ingram: F; 6' 8"; Sophomore

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

#2 Jordan Thompson: G; 6' 0"; Senior

#32 JV Seat: G; 6' 3"; Junior

#4 Jacobi Sebock: F; 6' 7"; Junior

#15 Jack Robinson: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#0 Israel Hart
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#33 Jarreth Ingram
: 6' 8"; Sophomore
: F

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

#2 Jordan Thompson
: 6' 0"; Senior
: G

#32 JV Seat
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G

#4 Jacobi Sebock
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F

#15 Jack Robinson
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G