Broncho Basketball Split a Pair of Games in Missouri

The University of Central Oklahoma men’s basketball team lost to Northwest Missouri State on Thursday evening, before beating Missouri Western in Overtime on Saturday afternoon. 

The Bronchos are now 15-11 overall and 8-6 in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) play. 

UCO traveled to Maryville, Mo., on Thursday evening, where they came up short against Northwest Missouri, losing 72-65. 

Both teams went back and forth, trading baskets, with UCO coming out on top, 33-30, to end the first half. 

Central kept the momentum going in the second half, keeping the lead until the Bearcats went on a 10-2 run, tying the ball game 47-47 with 11:10 left to play. 

Northwest Missouri never looked back, as they didn’t fall behind again, gaining as much as a 10-point lead on the Bronchos.

Although UCO cut the deficit by five, trailing 63-68 with 2:11 left to play, the Bronchos couldn’t keep the offense rolling in the final stretch, ultimately falling short to the Bearcats.  

The Bronchos shot 24-for-60 from the field, including 11-of-40 beyond the arc, and 13-of-19 from the free-throw line.

Central Oklahoma then traveled to St. Joseph, Mo., on Saturday afternoon, where they beat Missouri Western 75-70 in overtime.

UCO took the 3-2 lead over Missouri Western three minutes into the game, and kept that lead until the final seconds of regulation. 

Senior forward, Josh Nwankwo, laid the ball up with two seconds remaining in the first half, extending the Broncho lead, 33-28, going into the half. 

Central continued to separate itself from the Griffons, going on a 10-0 run to start the second half.  

For the remainder of the regulation, Missouri Western slowly diminished the lead. 

With 31 seconds left, the Griffons hit a 3-pointer to tie the game 62-62, sending both teams into overtime.

In overtime, the teams traded buckets, but UCO went on a 9-2 run in the final stretch to close out the game and gain the victory over the Griffons.

Nwankwo says that he keeps the momentum going during the final stretch by focusing on winning.

“I give all the glory to God. Sometimes I find myself playing not to lose, and I feel like that is a recipe to lose, so just by keeping myself in the moment and having fun, the outcome will always take care of itself.”   

Nwankwo led the offense for the Bronchos, finishing the game with 22 points, shooting 8-for-15 from the field.

The senior forward also added six boards, three assists, and two steals to go along with his performance. 

The Bronchos have five games remaining before they enter the postseason, with each game left being crucial as they continue to fight for a position in the league standings. 

Nwankwo says he is preparing for the postseason by being ready to take home a championship.

“It’s a little different because coach Hoffman does a great job of keeping things in perspective. Everything that has happened to us as a team has probably happened for a reason, so it makes it easy to get ready for this postseason with a chip on my shoulder. Ready to fight for my brothers and the fans. Just know we will go out swinging.”

The 2026 MIAA Basketball Championship will begin on March 4 in Kansas City, Mo.

Tickets for the championship will be available for purchase in person at the three remaining home games. You can also purchase tickets online through the MIAA at a higher cost.  

UCO will be back in action this Saturday, hosting Rogers State, with tipoff to begin at 3:30 p.m.