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1/28/2012 8:41:00 PM

Brent Friday

Box Score

EDMOND (Jan. 28) – A scintillating second-half performance by Brent Friday rescued Central Oklahoma from a severe shooting slump and propelled the Bronchos past Northeastern State 59-52 Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Field House.

Friday scored 13 straight points during an amazing four-minute sequence midway through the second half as UCO overcame a six-point deficit to claim their second win of the season over the RiverHawks, with two more games yet to go against the long-time state rival.

The Bronchos came out on fire in building a quick 17-2 lead, missed 15 straight 3-point shots while scoring just 11 points during an 18-minute stretch in falling behind and then rallied when Friday took over the game.

UCO, playing without a pair of injured regulars, improved to 11-10 with its second straight win. The Bronchos don't play again until meeting NSU again on Feb. 11 in Tahlequah.

“We got out to a great start and then couldn't make anything, but our defense kept us in the game,” UCO coach Terry Evans said. “Brent really got it going in the second half and gave us the lift we needed.”

Friday made his last six shots after starting out 1-of-6 and the senior guard scored 19 of his team-high 21 points in the final half while adding eight rebounds and three assists.

The Bronchos also got 11 points and four steals from Tyler Phillips and 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals from Shane Carroll.

UCO made four of its first five long-range shots in bolting to its big early lead, with Carroll hitting two, Phillips one and Spencer Smith one. Phillips' mid-court steal and driving layup that resulted in an old-fashioned three-point play had the Bronchos on top 17-2 just 3:17 into the game.

It was still a 14-point lead at 25-11 on Josh Davis' jumper at the 10:55 mark, but UCO scored just four points the rest of the half as the RiverHawks pulled within 29-26 by intermission.

The drought continued to start the second half, with NSU outscoring the Bronchos 15-6 in the first nine minutes to open up a 41-35 lead.

Friday took over from there, scoring on an assortment of drives and short jumpers to keep UCO in the thick of it and he gave the Bronchos a 46-45 lead on a three-point play with 7:30 left.

NSU answered back to regain the lead, but Phillips took a Friday pass and drained a 3-pointer from the wing at the 6:38 mark to put UCO on top to stay, 49-47.

Ronald Norfleet's layup at 6:14 made it 51-47 and neither team scored again until Friday rattled in a trey with 2:16 remaining to up the lead to 54-47 and essentially seal the deal.

The Bronchos stayed safely ahead at the foul line, getting one from Friday and four straight from Carroll in the final 16 seconds.

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