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Matthew Willenborg

Men's Basketball Chris Brannick

Matthew Willenborg Earns Second MIAA Honor

Junior Forward Named MIAA Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma junior forward Matthew Willenborg was named MIAA Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week, the league announced Monday.
 
Willenborg leads the MIAA in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots this season. He led the Bronchos to a pair of MIAA wins in Edmond, both in overtime, to earn player of the week honors for the second time this season.
 
"Matt is doing so much for us in so many ways and we're really happy he is being recognized for it," UCO head men's basketball coach Bob Hoffman said. "His improvement over the last few years has been special to watch and his contribution this season, well we've needed every bit of it."
 
Willenborg averaged 32.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, and 3.0 steals per game last week. He shot 47.2 percent from the floor, making 17 of 36 shots, 38.5 percent from behind the 3-point line, making 5 of 13 attempts, and was 89.3 percent at the free-throw line, making 25 of 28 attempts.
 
On Wednesday against Northeastern State, Willenborg had 37 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and four steals to go with three assists. He went 11-for-12 at the line to help UCO to a 97-93 overtime win at Hamilton Field House. 
 
On Saturday afternoon against No. 5 Arkansas Fort Smith, Willenborg scored 27 points to go with nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals. He was 14-for-16 at the line in that game as the Bronchos beat UAFS 93-86 in overtime at Hamilton.
 
Willenborg is averaging 21.1 points per game this season, 9.2 rebounds per game, and 3.0 blocks per game. All three marks rank No. 1 in the MIAA and are among the best in the country. He ranks Top 15 in scoring, Top 25 in rebounding, and is third in the country in blocks per game.
 
Willenborg's shot blocking ability has put him in the Top 10 in UCO single season history already this season through 18 games played. His 48 blocks last season were the seventh most. His 54 this year now rank seventh for a single season. Willenborg has 124 career blocks and ranks fifth on the UCO all-time list behind Jason Pritchett (147, 2000-03), Luke  Haasl (2022-25), Fred Tyler (129, 1991-93), and Johnny Tyson (126, 1993-94).
 
Central Oklahoma is 11-7 this season with a 4-2 record in the MIAA and has two more games left in a four-game homestand this week. The Bronchos host Missouri Southern Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. and Pittsburg State Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in the MIAA Game of the Week live on 38 The Spot in the Kansas City market.
 
After a trip to Nebraska Kearney and Fort Hays State next week, the Bronchos will be home again to close out the month of January against Newman (1/28) and Emporia State (1/31).

 
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Players Mentioned

Matthew Willenborg

#21 Matthew Willenborg

F
6' 7"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Matthew Willenborg

#21 Matthew Willenborg

6' 7"
Junior
F
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