Womens Basketball Suffers Loss on Senior Day

The University of Central Oklahoma women’s basketball team suffered a blowout loss to the University of Central Missouri on Saturday afternoon during Senior Day at Hamilton Field House.

After going 0-2 this week, UCO sits at 9-17 overall and 4-13 in Mid-America Intercollegiate Association (MIAA) play, with two games left in the season, both on the road.

Before Saturday’s matinee tip-off, three Bronchos were recognized for Senior Day: Talia Pogi, Kendrick Bailey, and Harley Harbour. 

Pogi has spent her entire collegiate career at UCO, and this matchup was her 81st as a Broncho. Bailey and Harbour celebrated their senior year at UCO after transferring in during the last offseason. 

Immediately after the jump, it was evident that Central Missouri was the more experienced team. 

The Mules were 20-5 coming in and right at the top of the MIAA standings with a strong chance to win the conference depending on the final week’s results.

The first quarter ended with Central Missouri leading 21-8 before they stretched the lead to 39-15 at halftime.

Central Oklahoma proved offense to be their biggest limitation once again, shooting a tepid 17.6% from the field in the first half, including a 3-for-21 output in the second quarter. 

Meanwhile, the Bronchos had no answer for the trifecta scoring attack from the Mules as Hayden Heim, Reese Schaaf, and Taylor Weishaar traded off scoring buckets with each ending the first half with double-digit scoring totals etched in the box score.

Heim had 20 for the game while Schaaf and Weishar had 17 and 14, respectively. 

UCO increased its shooting efficiency to 34% in the second half, but it wouldn’t be enough to make a comeback against the Mules.

No Bronchos reached double-digit scoring, but Bobbie Fouquet led the team with nine. Bailey had 6, and Pogi had 5 on their Senior Day.

Central Missouri kept things rolling on the Bronchos and continued to move the nylon with their three-headed mule leading the way. They eclipsed 50% in the second half and made more than half their threes.

If not for a non-stellar free-throw shooting performance, CMU would’ve shot 50-40-90 for the game. 

However, UCO and Head Coach Hannah Moeller are still clearly taking on a rebuild, and the team has flashed tenacity and potential in her first season at the helm. 

For now, Central Oklahoma has two more games left in the regular season.

Central will play at Arkansas Fort Smith Thursday night and at Northeastern State Saturday afternoon.