Edmond, Okla. -- The University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos held off the Mid-America Christian University Evangels 103-96 tonight (Dec. 1) in Edmond, Okla.
The Bronchos, an NCAA D-II school out of the MIAA, improved to 7-2 with the win while dropping the Evangels to an identical 7-2 mark. MACU had already defeated two MIAA schools this season, routing Lincoln University 79-62 and dropping Missouri Southern State University 84-78 in an exhibition contest.
UCO led by nine at the half and quickly stretched the edge to 14 by scoring the first seven points of the second half.
Semar Farris then brought the Evangels back into it by fueling a 12-3 surge with 10 points to cut the lead to only 64-59 at the 14:42 mark.
The Evangels eventually got within four on two occasions, only to have the Bronchos run off nine straight points to expand the lead to 76-63.
It remained a 13-point deficit when the Evangels again charged back, this time fighting within three as a trey by Jarius Wilson capped a 15-5 spurt that made it 83-80 with 6:36 left.
The Bronchos though continued to keep the Evangels at bay and slowly built the lead back to double-digits when five straight points from Philip Brown pushed the advantage back to 96-85 with 3:33 remaining.
MACU couldn't get any closer than seven down the stretch.
Farris scored a season-high 29 points and also had four steals to lead the Evangels. Reggie Davis scored 22 and had a team-high seven rebounds for the Evangels. Jerrick Massenburge also scored in double-figures with 14 points and Chris Runnels blocked a game-high three shots.
Mahlon Jones led five Bronchos in double-figures with 23 points, while Brown added 18. Seth Heckart scored 16 along with a game-high eight assists and Trai Jordan had 11 points and a game-high eight boards. Garen Wright chipped in with 14 points for UCO.
The Evangels were out-rebounded 47-35 overall and 30-20 on the defensive glass. UCO also held a 36-20 edge in bench scoring.
MACU will next open up Sooner Athletic Conference action Thursday night (Dec. 4) at home against Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
