Bronchos Hold Off Upset-Minded Lady Lions

Courtesy UAFS Athletics Department

The University of Central Oklahoma seldom loses at Hamilton Fieldhouse, and the Bronchos kept that tradition alive on Saturday against the UAFS Lady Lions.

Central Oklahoma held off repeated upset attempts by UAFS, eventually pulling away late for an 82-75 nonconference win. It was the Bronchos’ 17th win in their past 19 home games, and they improved to 234-155 all-time on their home court.

It was Central Oklahoma’s first win in the interstate rivalry series, but UAFS still leads the all-time series 2-1.

The Lady Lions trailed by double-digits early in the first half before rallying within 3 points at halftime (39-36) thanks to a solid perimeter game. UAFS shot just 35 percent from the field (13 for 37) in the first 20 minutes but was 6-of-12 shooting from 3-point range to close the early gap.

Junior guard Destyni Howard drained two of the Lady Lions’ six first-half treys, while four others had one trey apiece. Senior forward Katie BenAmor had one 3-pointer and led UAFS with 8 points in the first half.

Central Oklahoma (8-2), which led by 12 points with 8:18 left in the first half, shot 49 percent from the field (17 for 35) but was just 5-for-18 shooting from 3-point range. Sophomore guard Chelsi Dennis was perfect from the field in the first half – 4-for-4 shooting overall and 3-for-3 shooting from 3-point range – and had a team-leading 11 points in the half.

UAFS took a 47-46 lead on a layup by freshman guard Breanna Jones with 16:17 left in the second half, but Central Oklahoma quickly regained the lead (49-47) on a 3-pointer by junior guard Britney Morgan with 15:44 left.

The Bronchos stretched their lead to 9 points (57-48) on a jumper by freshman forward Whitney Dunn with 13:17 to play, but the Lady Lions rallied again to pull within 1 point (61-60) on a 3-pointer by freshman guard Danielle McFadden with 6:14 to play.

UAFS tied the game (66-66) on another 3-pointer by Howard with 4:25 remaining and tied the game again (68-68) on a pair of free throws by junior post Angi Ramey with 3:57 left. Central Oklahoma broke the tie with a free throw by sophomore guard Chelsea Robinson with 3:37 left and pulled away for good from there.

The Lady Lions never got closer than 1 point of tying the game in the final 2 minutes.

UAFS shot 32 percent from the field for the game (24 for 75) – it was 9-for-24 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 72 percent from the free-throw line (18 for 25). BenAmor led UAFS with 15 points, while Ramey and Howard had 14 points apiece.

The Lady Lions lost the rebounding battle by 3 rebounds (50-47), but Ramey topped off her double-double with a team-high 10 rebounds.

Central Oklahoma shot 44 percent from the field for the game (31 for 71) – it was 12-for-34 from 3-point range – and shot 80 percent from the free-throw line (8 for 10). Junior guard Jill Bryan led the Bronchos with 20 points – she made six 3-pointers – while Dennis, who missed only one of her five shot attempts, had 11 points. Bryan and senior forward Courtney Harper had 10 points apiece.

Bryan completed her double-double with a team-high 11 rebounds.

UAFS (3-8) will resume regular-season play at 2 p.m. on Jan. 2 against Henderson State University at Duke Wells Center in Arkadelphia, Ark. It will be the second meeting of the season between the two teams. UAFS won the opening game 79-71 in its season opener on Nov. 10 at the Stubblefield Center.