By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDMOND, Okla. -- A 32-5 Central Oklahoma run in the first half was the difference as the No. 9-ranked Bronchos went on to post a 72-57 home MIAA win over Washburn's men Saturday at Hamilton Fieldhouse.
The Ichabods led 3-0 on a 3-pointer by Michael Keegan 14 seconds into the game and a layup by Andrew Orr with 16:27 to go in the first half gave WU (4-7, 1-4) a 10-8 lead but UCO (12-1, 6-1 MIAA) outscored the Ichabods 32-5 the remaining of the half to take a commanding 40-19 lead to the locker room at the half.
Washburn sophomore Levi Braun scored 17 points with five 3-pointers to lead the Ichabods in Saturday's 72-57 MIAA loss at Central Oklahoma. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn sophomores Michael Keegan (23) and Andrew Orr (24) scored 15 points apiece in the Ichabods' 72-57 MIAA loss at Central Missouri on Saturday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
During the Central Oklahoma run the Ichabods went just two of 15 from the field while the Bronchos hit 11 of 19 shots.
Washburn outscored the Bronchos 38-32 in the second half while shooting 59 percent in the half but could not overcome the halftime deficit.
Hayden product Levi Braun came off the bench to lead the Ichabods with 17 points, hitting five of seven 3-pointers and six of nine shots from the field overall.
Keegan and Orr both added 15 points for Washburn.
Jaden Wells had 18 points to take game-high honors for Central Oklahoma.
Washburn finished 23 of 51 from the field while hitting eight of 16 attempts from 3-point range, but went 3 of 11 from the free throw line.
UCO was 25 of 50 overall and 14 of 30 on 3-point attempts wile hitting eight of 12 shots from the free throw line.
UCO also held a 35 to 26 advantage on the glass. The Bronchos also flipped the Ichabods' 17 turnovers into 27 points.
Washburn will return to action on Jan. 5 hosting Central Missouri in Lee Arena.
