Men's Basketball 2/18/2026 1:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

UCO Hosts No. 3 Washburn

Bronchos Welcome Ichabods To Hamilton Field House Thursday Night

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma hosts No. 3 Washburn Thursday night at Hamilton Field House in an MIAA matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

UCO is 15-12 this season and has an 8-7 record in the MIAA. Washburn is 24-1 on the year with a 14-1 record in league play. Central Missouri will be in Edmond on Saturday. The Mules (20-7, 11-4 MIAA) are the only team to beat Washburn this season.

Central Oklahoma is averaging 73.2 points per game this season. The Bronchos shoot 45.1 percent from the floor, 32.2 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 71.9 percent from the free-throw line. UCO averages 5.8 made 3-pointers per game and 14.1 made free-throws per game.

Defensively, Central allows an even 68.0 points per game with opponents shooting 41.8 percent overall against the Bronchos. Teams shoot 33.2 percent from behind the 3-point line and average 7.1 made threes per game. Opponents also shoot 72.3 percent at the free-throw line against UCO and average 11.7 made free-throws per game.

Matthew Willenborg leads Central Oklahoma in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. He is second in the MIAA in scoring, he leads the MIAA in rebounding and blocks and ranks among the best in the country in the latter. Willenborg is third in DII in total blocks (81) and blocks per game. The junior forward broke the career blocks record at UCO last weekend, recording 150 in his three seasons.

Willenborg averages 20.4 points per game, 9.4 rebounds per game, and 3.1 blocks per game. His 33.9 minutes per game also are the most on the team. Willenborg shoots 49.0 percent overall, 35.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 82.1 percent from the free-throw line.

Josh Nwankwo is second on the team in scoring and also ranks fifth in the MIAA at 18.7 points per game, giving the Bronchos two in the top five. Nwankwo adds 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. He is a 47.0 percent shooter overall, 37.3 percent from three, and 80.2 percent at the free-throw line.

A pair of guards give Central just under 10 points per game with Marcus Zeigler Jr. (8.6) and Parker Hannah (8.5) adding to the offense. Zeigler adds 3.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. Hannah has 38 made 3-pointers this season.

Ben Averitt chips in 5.9 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game. Jack Robinson adds 4.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.

Washburn is averaging 87.4 points per game and defensively gives up 62.3 per contest. Dillon Claussen leads the team in scoring (15.6) and rebounding (6.4). Jack Bachelor (14.9) and Bryson Smith (11.0) also average double figures.

Central Oklahoma hosts Central Missouri Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Seniors will be recognized prior to tipoff. UCO finishes the regular season next week at Arkansas - Fort Smith and Northeastern State. The 2026 MIAA Basketball Championship is scheduled for March 4-8 in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#2 Josh Nwankwo: F; 6' 6"; Senior

#5 Marcus Zeigler Jr.: G; 6' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#2 Josh Nwankwo
: 6' 6"; Senior
: F

#5 Marcus Zeigler Jr.
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G