TAHLEQUAH, OK – Opening the season against one of the top programs in the country, the University of Mary men's basketball team's hopes of knocking off #9 University of Central Oklahoma to open the Central Region Challenge came up just short in. The Marauders held the high-scoring Bronchos offense in check most of the contest but couldn't hold their second half lead in a 55-49 UMary loss to Central Oklahoma.
The Marauders limited the Bronchos to over 33 fewer points than what UCO (3-0 overall) averaged the previous weekend.
Central Oklahoma, coming off two straight NCAA national tournament appearances, shot just 33.9% overall from the floor and a 5-of-15 effort from behind the arc.
UMary shot slightly better overall, making 36.6% of its shots overall and 6-of-21 on 3s. The Marauders found their way to the free throw line 23 times in the game but converted just 13 times while the Bronchos finished 10-of-14.
Gerald Gittens led the Marauders in his UMary debut. The junior guard scored 16 points, making 5-of-8 shots from the floor and finishing 6-of-9 at the line. He also had three assists.
Zyon Smith added 12 points and knocked down three treys. The senior guard also had six boards.
Xavier Lewis led UMary with seven rebounds. He also added seven points.
Rich Ashu had three blocks.
Jaden Wells led the Bronchos with 22 points and eight rebounds. He was their only player in double figures.
In a hardscrabble first half the Marauders tied the game 12-12 on a pair of Gittens free throws with 6:01 left before intermission. The Bonchos led by as many as eight before two more Gittens free throws just before the buzzer sent UMary into intermission trailing 20-15.
UMary came out of halftime on fire. Smith hit three straight treys to give UMary a 26-22 lead. Another Gittens free throw pushed the Marauders advantage to 31-26, UMary's largest lead of the day. A 16-1 run by the Bronchos left the Marauders down by 10. Twice UMary clawed back within four points but never closer.
The Marauders (0-1) close out the Central Region Challenge on Saturday, November 11, when UMary faces tournament host Northeastern State University at 7:30 pm.
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