Kasey Tweed made two clutch free throws with 10 seconds remaining and No. 14-ranked Central Oklahoma barely staved off a final Science & Arts of Oklahoma rally in holding on for a 65-64 victory Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Field House.
Tweed’s two foul shots gave the unbeaten Bronchos a 65-61 lead, but Lamitra Daggs converted a three-point play on the other end with four seconds left to make it 65-64.
Ashley Beckley missed two free throws after being fouled on the inbounds play and Juliana Leite got off a 35-foot 3-point try at the buzzer that bounced off the back iron as UCO escaped with the hard-fought win in the home opener.
The Bronchos improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1997-98 while ending USAO’s six-game winning streak. UCO returns to action Tuesday, hosting Midwestern State at 7 p.m.
“It was an ugly game, but fortunately we came out on top,” UCO coach Guy Hardaker said. “We couldn’t make any shots and did an awful job rebounding, so we’ll take this win and move on.”
The Bronchos shot a paltry 31.3 percent (21-of-67) from the field, including just 11.1 percent (2-of-18) from 3-point range while getting outrebounded 45-28. UCO’s saving grace was making 15 steals while forcing 43 turnovers.
Beckley finished with a team-high 14 points for the Bronchos, while Lizzie Brenner had 13 points, nine rebounds, six steals and five assists. UCO also got 11 points from Tweed and 10 from Rose Anderson.
The Bronchos missed 11 layups and just 23.5 percent (8-of-34) to trail by 11 (33-22) at halftime, but cut the deficit to two at 37-35 on an Anderson three-point play with 13:22 left to play.
Tweed had another three-point play at the 8:25 mark to tie it at 45-all and UCO went up 52-50 on Courtney Allen’s layup with 5:05 remaining. It was tied again at 56 before the Bronchos got back-to-back layups from Brenner and Anderson in going ahead 60-56 with 2:09 left.
A Beckley layup had UCO in front 62-59 at 1:39 and then Tweed made one of two foul shots at 0:58 for a 63-59 lead before USAO’s Ivaney Marquez hit two charity tosses with 43 seconds left to make it 63-61.
Brenner missed a shot on the other end, but the ball went out of bounds off USAO and Tweed was fouled with 10 seconds left. She calmly swished both shots to make it 65-61 and set up the wild finish.
Sports
UCO women hold off USAO
- Sports
-
-
All-Edmond Golf 2012
-
OCA’s Drewke signs with OC
Oklahoma Christian Academy senior Kara Drewke signed to play soccer at Oklahoma Christian University this week.
-
OC enters final day of NAIA golf championship with 3-stroke lead
Defending national champions and No. 2-ranked Oklahoma Christian maintained the clubhouse lead heading into the final round of the 61st annual NAIA Men’s Golf National Championships presented by FORE! Salem at Creekside Golf Club.
-
Kansas State shuts Cowboys out of tourney
Five days after Oklahoma State University pitcher Randy McCurry dominated Texas A&M in his best pitching performance this season, the junior from Tupelo had his worst outing as Kansas State eliminated the Cowboys from the Big 12 tournament, 11-5, Thursday at Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Ballpark.
-
Defending champion Oklahoma Christian holds 6-stroke lead at NAIA tournament
Midway through the 61st annual NAIA Men’s Golf National Championships presented by FORE! Salem at Creekside Golf Club, defending national champions and No. 2-ranked Oklahoma Christian University holds a six-stroke lead with 36 holes remaining.
-
Eagles, Bogstrand overcome soggy conditions, stand 2nd
Growing up in Norway, Oklahoma Christian University golfer Vilhelm Bogstrand became used to playing in adverse weather conditions. That experience served him well on Tuesday in the opening round of the NAIA Championship.
-
UCO qualifies boat for national rowing; 2 Broncho rowers named All-American
Central Oklahoma will make its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Women’s Rowing Championships this weekend when the Bronchos send their 8+ boat to the West Windsor, N.J. for that three-day event.
-
UCO's Edwards named to academic All-America team
The awards just keep coming for Central Oklahoma’s Kacie Edwards, who was named Wednesday to the 2012 Capital One Academic All-America NCAA Division II Softball Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
-
Bronchos fall in World Series semifinals
A dream season ended in disappointment for Central Oklahoma here Saturday afternoon in the NCAA Division II World Series.
-
UCO women 8th at Div. II golf championship
Chaney Uhles capped off a brilliant sophomore season with a fifth-place finish in the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships here Saturday to lead Central Oklahoma to an eight-place showing in its first-ever national tournament appearance.
- More Sports Headlines
-
