Hopes Dashed

3/15/2008 12:00:00 AM

CANYON, Texas (March 15) -- Central Oklahoma's postseason quest and a fantastic season came to a crushing end as second-seeded Washburn erased a five-point first half deficit to earn a 73-66 victory and advance into the Sweet 16 here at the NCAA Division II South Central Regional here Saturday night.

UCO led 27-22 with 5:54 remaining in the opening period before a 15-6 Washburn scoring run combined with a dismal second half shooting performance that saw the Bronchos score just 20 points in the second period while shooting 8-of-33 (24 percent).

The Bronchos end the season with a record of 24-8, the second-most wins in school history, a Lone Star Conference North Division co-Championship and a runner-up performance at the LSC Postseason Tournament.

Washburn improved to 25-6 and will now play in Monday's championship game between the winner of No. 8-seed Northwest Missouri and fourth-seeded Emporia State for the right to advance to the Elite Eight March 26-29 in Kearney, Neb.

”This is a hard loss and we're disappointed at the moment but we have had a lot to be proud of this season,” said UCO head coach Guy Hardaker. “It's tough to see the careers of four instrumental seniors draw to a close, but they laid the foundation for this team and they've left a huge mark on this program. This was a great season and I'm extremely proud of this ballclub, it's just sad to see it end.”

Lizzie Brenner was UCO's lone double-digit scorer, totaling 21 points and four rebounds in the loss while Micha Hester added nine points and Taylor Allen seven.

Amanda Holmes led all scorers with 27 points on 10-of-15 from the field while Corkey Stiger chipped in a 22-point effort and Janice Bright notched 11 for the victors.

Despite making just three of its first 10 shots, Brenner drained a pair of 3-pointers and Cristina Yarbrough's steal and layup countered a Washburn offense that used a 7-0 scoring run to take a 11-9 lead with seven minutes having expired in the contest.

Stifling defense caused a series of Washburn turnovers igniting a 7-0 UCO scoring spurt that saw Hester drill a 3-point field goal, Brenner knock down a turnaround jumper and Ashley Beckley convert a tough layup in the lane as the Bronchos led 16-11 at the 10:51 mark.

A trio of Washburn 3-point field goals evaporated the UCO advantage as the seven-point swing put the Bronchos in a two-point hole before free throw conversions by Yarbrough and Allen regained a two-point lead, 22-20 with 8:01 remaining in the period.

That advantage extended to a game-high five points after Mallory Markus and Brenner made consecutive backdoor layups with Brenner making a free throw to complete a three-point play, but three straight Washburn 3-point field goals and a free throw knotted the contest at 32-32 at the 3:44 mark.

Washburn connected on their seventh 3-pointer of the half and scored another pair of field goals down the stretch as UCO struggled offensively, managing just two free throws over the final 4:30 to trail 39-34 heading into intermission despite 15 points from Brenner.

The offensive struggles continued to begin the final period as UCO failed to score until the 15:50 mark while shooting 1-for-15 from the floor in the first eight minutes of the half. Washburn took full advantage, opening a double-digit lead with a 12-2 scoring margin to lead 51-36.

A combined 12 points from Hester and Beckley did little to threaten the Washburn lead as UCO could not draw closer than 13 points through the eight-minute mark and the Bronchos saw that deficit grow to 18 points with under five minutes remaining in regulation.

UCO chipped away at the lead as time began to wind down, trailing by 13 with 4:08 remaining and ending the game with 3-pointers from Karlie Free and Tweed, four points off free throws by Cassidy Pillow and a layup by Beckley as a 10-4 scoring run over the final 2:11 determined the final seven-point outcome.

Seniors Free, Hester, Pillow and Antonia Smith played in their final collegiate contest with the Bronchos tonight as they combined to appear in 332 career games for UCO.

Box Score

Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories