OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Just one night after bouncing back from a 16-point deficit, Southern Nazarene couldn't hold off Central Oklahoma as it erased a 16-point hole and gave SNU its first loss of the season with a 74-70 defeat.
 
The Crimson Storm (5-1) blistered the nets early in the first half with a 62.5 percent percentage from the floor and took advantage of 12 first half turnovers by the Bronchos (6-2). UCO flipped the tables in the second half as it forced nine SNU turnovers and gave up just four. Both teams shot over 50 percent for the game as the Storm went 25-for-49 and Central Oklahoma went 25-44. UCO hit six 3-pointers while the Storm hit five. The biggest difference was that UCO shot 26 free throws while SNU had just 19 despite the Bronchos using a full court press the entire night.
 
Francisco Hukill nearly matched his career high from a night ago as he had 17 points along with six rebounds and two steals. The junior went 6-for-10 from the floor and 4-for-5 at the line. LB Willis also had 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting and added four rebounds, four assists and two steals. The Bronchos also had 14 second-chance points off of six offensive rebounds.
 
SNU held its biggest lead at 42-26 with 2:46 left in the first half, but the Bronchose went on a 12-2 run to close the half and cut the lead to 44-38 at the break. Southern Nazarene stretched it to 58-49 with 13:32 left to play, but UCO answered with 10 straight to take its first lead since the first points of the game. The Storm though responded with six straight to lead 64-59 with 9:05 left, but never could pull away. SNU led 69-66 with 4:06 left to play, but the Bronchos went on an 8-1 run to close out the contest.