Box Score
ADA, Okla. (Jan. 21) -- Adam Terneus scored 17 of his career-high 20 points in an explosive seven-minute span midway through the second half as No. 3-ranked Central Oklahoma finally took command against pesky East Central en route to a 103-80 Lone Star Conference North Division triumph here Wednesday night.
The Bronchos shot a blistering 60.0 percent from 3-point range in the second half, hitting 12-of-20 long-range shots to turn a precarious four-point halftime lead into the final 23-point margin of victory.
Terneus fueled that outside shooting exhibition, nailing five treys and adding a pair of free throws in the decisive stretch that saw UCO turn a seven-point lead (56-49) at the 12:56 mark into an 18-point cushion (82-64) with 5:48 remaining.
The Bronchos cruised in from there, making four 3-pointers in the final 1:37 to finish with the season-high 103 points in winning for the sixth straight time. UCO improved to 16-2 overall and 3-0 in the LSC North, while the Tigers fell to 4-13 and 0-2.
“We struggled in the first half and East Central came out ready to play, but we know we're going to get everybody's best shot,” UCO coach Terry Evans said. “Our defense was better in the second half and we obviously shot the ball well.”
All five starters scored in double figures, with Terneus' 20-point effort leading the way and the senior guard added four assists and three steals.
Lance Harper had his fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Eric Cazenave had 13 points and eight assists, David Thomas 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists and Michael Sosanya 10 points.
DeAngelo Garrett was big off the bench with nine rebounds and eight points, with Shane Carroll hitting three treys in a nine-point outing.
The Bronchos had season highs for 3-pointers made (17) and attempted (47) in the contest, making just 5-of-27 (18.5 percent) in the first half.
UCO missed 10 of its first 12 shots of at game in falling behind 13-5, but came back to hit seven of its next 10 field goals to surge in front 20-18. Six different players scored in that 15-5 run, which Terneus ended with a 3-pointer from the wing.
The Tigers went back on top 27-25 before Tucker Phillips put UCO in front to stay at the 5:47 mark with a 3-pointer. The Bronchos pushed the lead to 43-33 late in the half on a Cazenave 12-footer, but ECU scored six points in the final 42 seconds to pull within 43-39 at intermission.
Harper and Sosanya scored four points apiece in an 8-2 run to open the second half to give UCO a 51-40 lead, but it was still a game with the Tigers within 56-49 when Terneus drilled a long 3-pointer from the top of the key to ignite the decisive spurt
