Missed Free Throws Doom Bronchos

2/1/2014 4:19:00 PM

Britney Morgan

Box Score

EDMOND (Feb. 1) – Julia Mason's 3-point attempt was blocked as time expired and the Bronchos fell to Pittsburg State, 69-66, Saturday afternoon at the Hamilton Field House.

The Bronchos missed critical free throws down the stretch and finished the game just 9-for-18 from the line.

UCO fell to 10-9 on the season and 5-7 in the MIAA, while PSU improved to 15-6 and 8-3.

UCO held a two-point advantage at halftime, 31-29, and quickly extended the lead to seven on a 3-pointer by senior Britney Morgan who finished with a season-high 15 points.

The Gorillas got to within two after a pair of free throws by Cathy Brugman, but the Bronchos answered with five straight to get the lead back to seven, 49-42.

Freshman Olivia Mason, who ended with a season-best 19 points, connected on a trey with 12:23 remaining to extend the lead to eight.

The Gorillas answered with an eight-point spurt that evened the game at 54 with 9:24 remaining. The teams traded buckets before Julia Mason made a free throw to put the Bronchos back on top by one, but it was the last lead UCO would have.

The Gorillas then went on a 9-1 run to go up seven, 65-58, with just four minutes left in the game. The Bronchos gave themselves a chance after Julia Mason's 3-pointer cut the lead to four (65-61) at the 2:52 mark.

PSU turned the ball over and senior Jill Bryan was fouled, but she made just one of two free throws and the Bronchos still trailed by three points with two minutes remaining.

With 1:11 remaining, junior Tarrington Oakes had a chance to cut the lead to one but she made one of her two free throws to make it 65-63.

UCO amped up the defense in an effort to get the ball back and forced a shot clock violation with 31.1 seconds on the clock. Julia Mason missed a jump shot that would have tied the game and PSU got the rebound.

Lizzy Jeronimus made a pair of free throws for the Gorillas, but the Bronchos still had a chance due to Olivia Mason's three-pointer from the wing with nine seconds left.

Jeronimus made two more free throws to extend the lead to three and UCO got off a last-ditch shot at sending the game to overtime, but Julia Mason's long range attempt from the corner was blocked.

Jeronimus finished with a game high 28 points for Pittsburg State.

The Bronchos look to rebound when they travel to Tahlequah, Okla., to take on Northeastern State Feb. 6.

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