Box Score
EDMOND, Okla. (Nov. 19, 2007) - Oklahoma Christian fell to 3-4 on Monday with a 77-57 loss at crosstown rival Central Oklahoma.
The Eagles and Bronchos were tied at 25-25 with four minutes left in the first half before UCO went on a 23-3 run over the closing minutes of the first half and opening minutes of the second stanza.
"UCO is a good team. This was a difficult test for our guys and you have to give UCO credit," OC head coach Dan Hays said.
The first half saw six ties, but just two lead changes, as UCO held the advantage most of the way. OC took its lone lead of the game at 10-8 when junior Kyle Tefft drove and scored with 15:41 on the clock.
The Bronchos then went on a 15-5 run to take back an eight-point advantage.
OC responded with a 10-2 scoring run of their own. The rally began on another Tefft basket, and when David Jackson swiped a steal and took the ball coast-to-coast, the score was locked at 23-23.
After a Broncho basket, Jason Taylor sunk two free throws to knot the score at 25-25. The points would be OC's last of the half as UCO took a 32-25 lead to halftime.
UCO extended the lead to its largest at 64-31 at the 10:30 mark of the second half. OC whittled down the advantage, though, and outscored UCO 26-13 in the game's closing 10 minutes.
Jon Jonsson gave the Eagles a scoring spark off the bench with 10 points in the timespan.
"Jon Jonsson came in and gave us a nice lift. He hasn't been able to shoot since Tuesday because of an elbow injury, so to see him knock down some shots was a good sign," Hays said.
Marlon Word also provided a positive note off the bench with a pair of three-pointers at the 5:21 and 4:20 marks of the second half. A Jonsson two with 19 seconds remaining brought the final score to 77-57.
Tefft led the Eagles with 14 points. The guard also grabbed seven rebounds. Jason Taylor scored eight points to go with eight rebounds. Jonsson finished with 10 points, all coming in the second half. Jackson and Jeff Crocker each chipped in eight.
UCO's Sam Belt led all scorers with 19 on the night. The Bronchos narrowed the series gap with the Eagles to 25-8. UCO has won the last four meetings.
OC is off until Nov. 29 when they tip off Sooner Athletic Conference play against Science and Arts (Okla.) inside the Eagles' Nest. The Eagles and Drovers are set to tip at 8 p.m.
