EDMOND, Okla. – Fort Hays State fell by a score of 66-51 at No. 6/4 ranked Central Oklahoma on Saturday at Hamilton Field House. The Tigers had an uncharacteristic rash of turnovers, committing a season-high 21, which proved too much to overcome. The Tigers are now 15-8 overall, 10-7 in the MIAA, while the Bronchos moved to 21-2 overall, 15-2 in the MIAA.
 
Ball security was a problem for the Tigers early on, especially in a possession-style game between two of the top defenses in NCAA Division II. FHSU committed 14 first-half turnovers, more than the 11.4 it averaged per game entering Saturday. However, the Tigers were able to force the Bronchos into 10 turnovers in the first half for a combined 24 between the teams. UCO held a 29-23 lead at halftime, courtesy of its six-point advantage in points off turnovers. Both teams shot below 40 percent in the opening frame.
 
The Bronchos opened the second half with a 5-0 run to get their lead out to 11. The teams traded scores on the next few possessions before UCO used a 7-0 burst to get the lead to 15 with just under 16 minutes to play. For the final 17:40 of the game, the Tigers could never cut the Broncho lead back inside 10 points even though the Bronchos never led by more than 16.
 
UCO heated up in the second half, shooting 54.2 percent from the field to get to 46 percent overall for the game. The Tigers were a smidge north of 40 percent in the second half and finished at 37.8 percent for the game.
 
FHSU finished with 21 turnovers for the game, compared to 15 for UCO. The teams were even in rebounds, both with 31. The Bronchos scored 66 for the second time this season against the Tigers, only this time the Tigers scored 10 less points than they did at home in December.
 
The Tigers did not have any players reach double figures in scoring for the first time this season. Bjarni Jonsson, Traejon Davis, and Gilbert Peters all had nine to lead the Tigers. Jonsson scored all of his points on three 3-point field goals, while Davis had a pair of field goals and five free throws, and Peters had four field goals and a free throw. Peters led the Tigers in rebounds with six, while Jonsson provided a team-best three assists.
 
Jaden Wells led the Bronchos with 22 points, which included four 3-point field goals. Curtis Haywood II had 16 and Danquez Dawsey finished with 11. Wells led the Bronchos in rebounds with nine, while Haywood dished out six assists.
 
The Tigers look to bounce back on Thursday (Feb. 9) at home when they host Lincoln. The Tigers will be seeking a season sweep of the Blue Tigers, which now sit at 15-5 overall and 11-5 in the MIAA.