Box Score
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Dec. 21) – No. 5-ranked Central Oklahoma suffered through its worst shooting performance of the season in dropping an 89-75 decision to Arkansas Tech here Sunday afternoon on the second day of the River City Classic.
The Bronchos shot just 34.8 percent (23-of-66) from the field, including 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from 3-point range. The Wonder Boys, meanwhile, connected on 50.0 percent (25-of-50) of their shots with nine treys and outscored UCO 30-23 from the free throw line in pulling off the upset.
“We didn't shoot the ball well and just couldn't get our offense going,” UCO coach Terry Evans said. “We would get down and battle back in it, but never could get over the hump.”
The Bronchos fell to 10-2 with the loss, while ATU improved to 9-2. UCO doesn't return to action until going to Texas A&M-Kingsville on Jan. 3.
Eric Cazenave led the Bronchos with 18 points, five rebounds and three steals, while Michael Sosanya came off the bench to contribute 16 points, three assists, two blocked shots and two steals.
Lance Harper added 10 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, with freshman Brent Friday chipping in 10 points in his first-ever start.
UCO led only once, overcoming an early 8-2 deficit with a 7-0 run to go on top 9-8 on a short Sosanya jumper. It was tied at 10-10 after Adam Terneus made one of two free throws at the 15:13 mark, but the Wonder Boys went ahead to stay seconds later and pulled away to a big 39-26 halftime lead.
The Bronchos got within seven at 43-36 early in the second half on a Cazenave bucket and trailed by that same margin at 48-41 after Keith Marks drilled a 3-pointer before ATU reeled off nine unanswered points to open up a 16-point (57-41) advantage.
It was still a 16-point deficit at 64-48 with 8:47 left to play when UCO made its last charge, getting four points from Cazenave in a 10-0 run that pulled the Bronchos within 64-58 at the 6:22 mark.
But their would be no miraculous comeback as the Wonder Boys responded with a 13-2 scoring spurt to take a commanding 77-60 lead en route to handing UCO its second setback of the season.
