Game Statistics

PITTSBURG, Kan. (Nov. 15) -- No. 12-ranked Central Oklahoma dropped a disappointing 70-69 season-opening decision to Pittsburg State here Sunday afternoon when the Gorillas converted a last-second three-point play.

Courtney Allen gave UCO a 69-67 lead on a 3-pointer with 41 seconds remaining and the Gorillas took two timeouts and the Bronchos one before DePrice Taylor was fouled while making a layup with just nine ticks left on the clock.

Taylor added the tie-breaking free throw -- her first make after two earlier misses -- and a John Lance Arena crowd of 1,814 was able to celebrate PSU's upset after Cristina Yarbrough's 3-point try at the buzzer was off the mark.

Ashley Beckley led the Bronchos, scoring 13 of her game-high 21 points in the second half while finishing 10-of-15 from the field.  Yarbrough added 14 points, three assists and three steals and Allen came off the bench to contribute 10.

The Gorillas, who returned seven players from last year's 20-9 team, got 20 points and 10 rebounds from Maya Onikute.

UCO trailed by as many as eight points in the first half before getting it to four (34-30) by intermission and Beckley had nine points in a 15-5 run to open the second half that gave the Bronchos a 45-39 lead with 14:20 remaining.

The lead peaked at seven (52-45) midway through the second half, but PSU responded with nine unanswered points to surge in front 54-52 at the 7:20 mark and it was a back-and-forth battle the rest of the way.

Kasey Tweed's layup gave UCO a 66-64 lead with 1:14 left, then PSU's Drew Roberts hit her second straight 3-pointer to make it 67-66 before Allen answered with her trey at the 41-second mark that gave the Bronchos their last lead.

UCO goes to Weatherford this weekend for two games in the Southwestern Oklahoma Classic, taking on NAIA powers Oklahoma Baptist and Oklahoma City.