UCO Makes It 10 In A Row

2/7/2011 9:11:30 PM

Brent Friday

Box Score

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (Feb. 7) -- Six players scored during a 25-5 run to end the first half and start the second that turned a four-point deficit into a 16-point lead and No. 9-ranked Central Oklahoma went on to a 77-64 Lone Star Conference North Division triumph over Northeastern State here Monday night.

The Bronchos trailed 32-28 late in the half before scoring the final eight points to go on top 36-32 at intermission and then opened the second half with a 17-5 spurt to seize a 53-37 lead with 14:15 left to play.

Dauntae Williams and Brent Friday scored six points apiece in the game-deciding scoring spree, with Shane Carroll adding five, Tucker Phillips three, Tyler Phillips three and Victor Driver two.

NSU got within four (59-55) with 7:19 remaining, but Williams scored 14 of his game-high 25 points the rest of the way to help UCO regain control and the Bronchos went on to their 10th straight win.

UCO improved to 20-2 overall -- the fifth straight season to reach the 20-win mark -- and maintained a commanding lead in the LSC North at 6-0. The Bronchos have two more LSC North road games this week, going to Texas A&M-Commerce Wednesday and Southeastern Oklahoma Saturday.

“We were a little sluggish at times in the first half, but had a good run at the end to get the lead and then played really well to start the second half,” UCO coach Terry Evans said. “We hadn't played in awhile (Jan. 29) and it took us a little bit to get going, but it's always good to get out of here with a win.”

UCO ended up shooting 50.9 percent (28-of-55) from the field and committed just 10 turnovers in the contest.

Williams had 22 second-half points in finishing with 25 while adding nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. The Bronchos also got 16 points from Friday and 10 apiece from Tyler Phillips and Driver.

UCO went on top 4-0 quickly with back-to-back layups by Tucker Phillips and Friday, but the RiverHawks came back to take a 12-7 lead four minutes into the contest and it was close the rest of the way.

There were eight lead changes and seven ties in the opening 20 minutes, with the Bronchos using a late surge to take a 36-32 lead into intermission.

UCO faced a 32-28 deficit with 3:45 left before reeling off eight unanswered points to regain the lead as NSU missed six straight free throws.

Driver's follow shot at 3:15 pulled the Bronchos within 32-30 and Tyler Phillips made one of two foul shots at 2:36 to make it a one-point game. Shane Carroll scored the final five points, putting UCO ahead with two free throws at the 1:37 mark and then drilling a long 3-pointer from the wing at 0:30.

NSU opened the second half with a 3-pointer, but Tucker Phillips answered with a trey of his own from the corner to ignite an 11-0 run that Friday ended with back-to-back layups off consecutive Williams steals.

The RiverHawks scored to make it 47-37 and then Williams scored three consecutive buckets to push the advantage to 53-37 with 14:15 left and UCO appeared in control.

NSU didn't go away, however, rallying to within 59-55 at the 7:19 mark before Williams took over.

The senior All-American scored nine of UCO's next 13 points to give the Bronchos a 72-60 lead with 2:51 remaining and the Bronchos were home free.

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