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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Josh Nwankwo
67
Central Okla. CentOK 7-5,1-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
72
Winner Rogers St. RS 5-4,1-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Central Okla. CentOK
7-5,1-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
67
Final
72
Rogers St. RS
5-4,1-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Central Okla. CentOK 23 44 67
Rogers St. RS 40 32 72

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Chris Brannick

Early Struggle Too Much To Overcome For UCO In Claremore

Bronchos Rally But Come Up Short At Rogers State

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Central Oklahoma fell behind early and couldn't recover Thursday night at Rogers State and lost 72-67 in the MIAA matchup.
 
The Bronchos are now 7-5 on the season following the loss and 1-2 in the MIAA. Central heads to San Antonio, Texas next week for the River City Holiday Classic, where the Bronchos will play No. 7 St. Mary's and No. 14 St. Edward's in non-conference games.
 
"We put ourselves in a bad spot with the way we played the first half," UCO head men's basketball coach Bob Hoffman said. "Even though we got back in it late, that's a lot to ask when you put yourself in that position early."
 
Central Oklahoma scored the first basket of the game but a 15-0 run followed by Rogers and the host Hillcats led 15-2 after five minutes of play. UCO was outscored marginally (25-21) the rest of the first half and went to halftime down 40-23.
 
In the second half, the Bronchos started the comeback. UCO cut the lead to nine with 11:33 remaining, 50-41. The Central got it to six points, 56-50, with just under six minutes remaining.
 
It would be a four-point game in the final minute, but that is as close as the Bronchos would get. Rogers made four free-throws down the stretch and UCO the Bronchos missed four shots in the final 17 seconds.
 
Matthew Willenborg led the Bronchos with 24 points, 13 rebounds, six blocked shots and four steals. One of his four 3-pointers made it a four-point game with 29 seconds to play.
 
Josh Nwankwo scored 12 points and Marcus Zeigler Jr. and Jack Robinson both scored 11. UCO also got three from Parker Hannah and Chase Sucharda, two from Ben Averitt, and one from Brady Hancuff in the loss.
 
Central Oklahoma plays two in San Antonio before Christmas Break. Then one final non-conference game and one final game in 2025 against Dallas Christian on Dec. 30 before the new year.
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