Women's Basketball 1/12/2018 9:08:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Travel To Washburn Saturday

WATCH
LIVE STATS

TOPEKA, Kan. – The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team wraps up a short, two-game road swing in Kansas Saturday with a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association matchup with Washburn at 1 p.m. in Lee Arena.

Central Oklahoma is 14-2 on the season and looking to bounce back after a Wednesday night loss at Emporia State. The Bronchos had a nine-game win streak, the second-longest in school history, come to an end with its loss to the Hornets. The Bronchos take to Washburn a 5-2 conference record.

Washburn is 12-3 overall, and 4-2 in league play and on a two-game losing streak of its own. The Ichabods fell to Emporia State last weekend at home, and came up short against Northeastern State on Thursday night, also at home.

"Washburn is a very good team," UCO head coach Guy Hardaker said. "It took everything we had to kind of steal a win there last season and they've gotten better. They have some newcomers that are playing really well and it'll be tough. They're a well-coached team so they aren't going to make a whole lot of mistakes. You have to just be your best and play a really solid game if you want to get out of there with a win."

Central has won two straight in the series – both last season – and is 6-9 overall against Washburn all-time. The Bronchos beat Washburn by 20 in Edmond last January, and escaped from Topeka with a three-point win last February. Saturday is the first of two meetings between the schools this season.

For the Bronchos to bounce back from its second loss of the season earlier this week, it'll take a little more consistency on offense. UCO shot just 32 percent from the floor on Wednesday. That number dipped 25 percent on shots from behind the arc.

The Bronchos have three players who average at least 10 points per game this season. Melinda Murillo leads the way with 16.3 per contest. Jesheon Cooper (10.9) and Blake Blessington (10.8) join her.

Jo'Nah Johnson averages 7.8 points per game, but since becoming a starter on Dec. 19, the freshman guard has led the Bronchos in scoring twice – including Wednesday night – and is averaging 14.4 per game.

Cooper and Blessington have played important roles for the Bronchos this season. Both rank among the best in the country in a few categories.

Blessington, a junior guard, is eighth nationally in free-throw percentage. She's hit 45 of 49 from the line this season, a 91.8 percent rate.

Cooper is seventh in total blocks (47), 11th in blocks per game (2.9), ninth in total rebounds (173), 14th in rebounds per game (10.8), and also seventh in double-doubles (nine).

Washburn welcomes the Bronchos Saturday averaging 70 points per game as a team. Despite a two-game skid, the Ichabods still have a plus-12 scoring margin over its opponents.

Reagan Phelan leads the team with 14 points per game. She had a team-high 26 points in Thursday's loss vs. Northeastern State. It was also a season-high for Phelan, as well as a career-high for the 5-foot-6 sophomore guard.

Mackenzie Loe is second on the team in scoring (10.7 per game), while both Alexis McAfee and Axelle Bernard each average nine points per game.

Washburn opened the 2017-18 season 6-0 before dropping a non-conference road game in Wichita to Newman. The Ichabods responded with another six-game win streak before losing its last two in the MIAA.

Central returns home following Saturday's game and also has a bit of time off. The Bronchos only have one game on the schedule next week, a 1:30 p.m. date with rival-Northeastern State on Saturday, Jan. 20 in Hamilton Field House. UCO will play its next three at home. The Bronchos won't travel again until the first of February.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#13 Blake Blessington: G; 5' 9"; Junior

#42 Jesheon Cooper: F; 6' 5"; Senior

#22 Melinda Murillo: G; 5' 5"; Senior

#23 Jo'Nah Johnson: G; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#13 Blake Blessington
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

#42 Jesheon Cooper
: 6' 5"; Senior
: F

#22 Melinda Murillo
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G

#23 Jo'Nah Johnson
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: G