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Callen Haydon -
Camryn Givens shoots a free throw -
Camryn Givens (33) defends as Gage McGuire (3) shoots a 3-pointer -
Jaden Wells (24) guards Austin Downing (5)
Just as the comeback was completed, Jaden Wells retook control.
The freshman guard retook the lead and momentum Thursday night for the Central Oklahoma men’s basketball team at Hamilton Field House as it defeated Emporia State 73-61.
UCO (4-5) led for 37:02, allowing the Hornets only two leads.
ESU (7-7) came from behind to lead 42-40, but the Bronchos did not flinch as they quickly retook the lead and pulled away again.
UCO coach Bob Hoffman said multiple players made energy plays to keep momentum on the Bronchos’ side.
“The two charges that Seth Hurd got back-to-back, and then one offensive rebound he kicked out for a 3, those were huge,” Hoffman said. “Shemar Smith got a bigtime rebound and put back. Those are the kind of plays that build momentum. I thought we didn’t come out second half with the kind of intensity, enthusiasm and communication we needed to have… but our guards were tough tonight, and I liked how we continue to build and find ways to get (wins).”
Wells led UCO with 16 points, followed by junior guard Callen Haydon with 13. Senior forward Isaiah Wade had 12, junior forward Camryn Givens had 10 and Smith had 9.
Wells said having so many players who can score is critical.
“That means every guy on this court can go at any given time,” Wells said. “It’s everyone’s night on every given night, so we feel really confident with that.”
ESU scored first to lead 3-0, but the Bronchos responded well. UCO built a 25-11 lead in the first half, but the Hornets did not go away.
ESU cut the deficit to 33-28 at halftime, and ultimately took the lead with a 3-pointer from senior guard Dallas Bailey. Wells answered with his own to take the lead back. ESU tied the game at 44, the only time it was tied after 0-0, but Haydon quickly took the lead back for UCO for the final time.
Haydon said the Bronchos knew basketball is a game of runs and just had to handle them.
“We knew they were going to make a run, they’re not a bad team,” Haydon said. “They just came off a Washburn win, who’s either top 5 or top 10 in the nation, they just beat them at home. We know they had a little bit of confidence. They wanted revenge from the last game, we beat them last Thursday. We knew they were going to make a run, but it’s about making that run right back when they do that.”
After starting the season 1-4, the Bronchos have won three of their last four games.