Men's Basketball | 1/30/2026 10:48:00 AM

GAME 21
Emporia State (7-13, 3-8 MIAA) at Central Oklahoma (13-10, 6-5 MIAA)
Saturday, January 31 • 3:30 p.m. • Edmond, Okla. • Hamilton Fieldhouse
Series Record: UCO leads 28-17 • Last Meeting: UCO 73, at ESU 60 (March 5, 2025-MIAA Tourney)
Radio: KFFX 104.9FM 
Internet Audio: kvoe.com | Television: None | Internet Video: The MIAA Network
Live Stats | Ticket Info | Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: vs. Pittsburg State • 7:30 p.m. • February 5 • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium

WRAP UP THE ROAD TRIP 
Emporia State ends their four game road trip at Central Oklahoma.

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 7-13, 3-8 in the MIAA and have played the third toughest schedule in the country. Chris Harris leads the Hornets at 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Four of their losses have been by five points or less. 

ABOUT THE BRONCHOS
Central Oklahoma is 13-10, 6-5 in the MIAA. They are third in the MIAA in scoring defense and steals and lead the Association in blocks. Matthew Willenborg is averaging 20.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game and leads the MIAA in blocks and rebounds and is second in scoring.

ABOUT THE COACHES
Tom Billeter is 508-305 in his 28th season as a head coach and is 18-31 in his second season at Emporia State after going 394-224 in 21 years at Augustana. With the Vikings he won the 2016 National Championship, went to nine NCAA Tournaments, won three regular season NSIC Championships, two NSIC Tourney Championships, and 18 consecutive winning seasons.   He is 1-1 against Central Oklahoma.
Bob Hoffman is 126-75 in his seventh year at UCO and 645-395 in his 35th year as a head coach. He is 8-2 against Emporia State.

SERIES HISTORY WITH THE BRONCHOS
This will be the 46th meeting between the two with Central Oklahoma holding a 28-17 lead.

LAST TIME VS CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
The Hornets saw their season come to an end with a 73-60 loss to Central Oklahoma in the MIAA Tournament.
The game started slow as both teams missed their first three field goals before a tip-in by Karyiek Dixon gave Emporia State a 2-0 lead at the 18:09 mark. Over the next five minutes, Central Oklahoma outscored the Hornets 18-6, building a ten-point lead at the 12:50 mark. Emporia State was able to cut the Central Oklahoma lead to 25-23 following a free throw from Dixon with 7:28 left in the first half. The Hornets struggled to close out the half, missing their final eight field goals as the Bronchos put together a 20-2 scoring run over the final seven minutes to take a 45-25 lead into the half.
Following the break, the Hornets scored eight of the first 10 points, as a three from Arhman Lewis cut the Central Oklahoma lead to 47-33 at the 16:53 mark of the second half. A layup by Malik Edwards trimmed the deficit to 58-45 with 10:58 remaining, but the Hornets were unable to climb any closer over the final 11 minutes, eventually falling to Central Oklahoma 73-60. 
Karyiek Dixon led the Hornets with 13 points and added eight rebounds, six steals and four assists. 

LAST TIME OUT
Rogers State used two big scoring runs to take an 86-48 victory over Emporia State on Thursday night in Claremore, Okla. The Hornets started out well with a pair of layups from Treyvon Taylor and were down just 13-8 with 11:34 left.  The Hillcats then went on a 19-6 run to take a 32-14 lead with 6:10 left. Both teams cooled off offensively for the final five minutes as Rogers State took a 36-20 lead into the break. Emporia State was still within striking distance at 47-33 with 12:50 left when the Hillcats went on a 20-2 run.  Devin Conley scored on a put back with 7:45 left to break the run and make it 70-37. The teams played even the rest of the way as Rogers State posted an 81-48 victory. Treyvon Taylor was the only Hornet in double figures with 16 points and added a team high six rebounds.  Chris Harris had five points, six rebounds and six assists. As a team Emporia State hit just two of 24 from beyond the three point line.
 
UP NEXT
The Hornets return to White Auditorium on February 5 to take on Pittsburg State. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.  

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