Bronchos split final road test as postseason push continues

The University of Central Oklahoma basketball teams wrapped up their final road trip of the regular season Saturday with mixed results against Central Missouri. The men’s team pulled off a dramatic 64-62 win in Warrensburg, highlighted by Jacobi Sebock’s game-winning and-1 in the final seconds. Meanwhile, the women’s team stayed competitive in the first half but struggled after the break, falling 80-58. 

UCO’s men got off to a rough start, jumping ahead 3-0 on a Sebock 3-pointer before surrendering an 18-0 Central Missouri run. Frustrated with his team’s early effort, head coach Bob Hoffman made a bold move and pulled all five of his starters just four minutes in. The new lineup gave up five quick points, but the message was received. Hoffman sent the starters back in, and they responded with a renewed defensive energy and a better shot selection that sparked a 12-0 run. By halftime, the Bronchos had trimmed the deficit to just three at 30-27. 

The second half saw eight lead changes as both teams traded runs. The Bronchos put together an 8-0 stretch midway through the half to take a 54-50 lead, but Central Missouri answered with its own late push to go up 62-61 with under a minute to play. That set the stage for Sebock, who caught an inbounds pass with 11 seconds left, drove to the rim, and finished through contact. His free throw put UCO up by two, and then he sealed the game with a steal on the other end. 

Sebock finished with 12 points, six rebounds and two steals. Israel Hart led the Bronchos with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Luke Haasl and JV Seat each added 10. UCO shot 46 percent in the second half, outscoring Central Missouri 37-32 after the break to improve to 15-11 overall and 9-8 in the MIAA.

With the win, UCO moved to 15-11 overall and 9-8 in the MIAA, advancing into a tie for fifth place in the conference standings alongside Nebraska Kearney. The victory will also give the Bronchos a boost in the KPI rankings that play a key role in determining seeding for the 10-team MIAA Tournament. UCO came into the game sitting seventh in KPI and will have two more chances to improve its standing before the postseason. 

While the men’s team celebrated a thrilling win, the women’s team found itself in a similar back-and-forth battle early before struggling in the second half. Korie Allensworth led the first half in scoring with 13 points, including three 3-pointers, while Jordyn Turner dominated the glass with 10 rebounds. The Bronchos battled to a 33-33 tie at halftime, but the second half belonged to Central Missouri. 

UCO went cold from the floor in the third quarter, managing just three field goals as the Jennies took control with a 21-9 run. The struggles continued in the fourth, as Central Missouri extended its lead to 20 before cruising to an 80-58 win. Allensworth was a bright spot for the Bronchos, pouring in 27 points on 10-for-20 shooting, including six 3-pointers. Turner added 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, marking her 12th game this season with double-digit boards. 

The loss dropped UCO to 7-19 overall and 6-11 in the MIAA, keeping the team in a three-way tie for ninth place in the conference standings. The Bronchos remain on the bubble for the MIAA Tournament, currently sitting 11th in the KPI rankings. With two home games left, UCO will need to pick up wins against Arkansas-Fort Smith and Northeastern State to solidify a postseason spot. 

Both Broncho teams now return to Edmond for the final stretch of the regular season, with Senior Day on Saturday serving as the final home game for Korie Allensworth, LaKysia Johnson, Alexis Lewis, Jordyn Turner and Karly Wadsworth on the women’s side, and Preston Aymond, Luke Haasl, Israel Hart and Jordan Thompson for the men.