Page 6 Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008
SPORTS
The Vista
Wrestlers ranked 6th, aim to exceed expectations tinues to workout and get at 197 pounds, also returns. better daily in preparation Edison said there are 47 wrestlers on the team this for the season. "I'm hoping we can put year and that means a lot of The UCO men's wres- together a good team...that competition. fling team comes into the will be in the thick of things "It's like the saying, 'iron 2008-09 season ranked and will make a run," he sharpens iron,'" Edison said. No. 6 in the nation by the said. NCAA Division 11 National The Bronchos are among If anything, the rankCoaches Association after a group of four or five teams ings serve as motivation for a sixth-place finish at last that can contend for the some like Robinson. season's NCAA Division II national title, James said. "I don't like the rank As the season approach- ings," Robinson said. "I by Vista photographer Chris Albers Wrestling Championships. While the recognition es, the team's first goal is don't think they show how was well received by coach- identifying the best 10 start- good we can be, but it's not Quarterback Brandon Noohi dodges a defender Saturday afternoon during UCO's last home game of es and wrestlers, the team is ers, he said. a big deal." the season against East Central University. The Bronchos won the game, 30-17. ready to finish even higher. "That's gonna take a little Elliot said the team's goal "I don't mean disrespect, bit of time," James said. "We is to win a national title this but rankings in preseason have three All-Americans year. are a little suspect," said back from last year." "Last year's finish was David James, UCO wres- He said these are senior unacceptable," Elliott said. tling head coach. "Certainly Tim Elliot at 133 pounds, "We've got a good shot we have high expectations junior Colby Robinson at to win the title this year," and want to finish high- 149 pounds and junior he said. "We've got all the er than what a preseason heavyweight Dustin Finn. pieces, but we're not put ranking is." Sophomore Jarrett Edison, together yet." James said the team con- a national qualifier last year By Matt Caban Staff Writer
Bronchos declaw Tigers, 30-17 By Kaylea Brooks Sports Editor
UCO shut down East Central's Marcus Johnsondriven offense for its sixth consecutive win this season. The win was fitting for the circumstances, considering it was Senior Day. Sixteen seniors played their last home game in history including defensive stars Matt Gates, T.J. Shaw, K.C. Asiodu, Marcus Martinez and wide receiver Rick Montgomery, along with many others. East Central came out explosive in the first quarter, threatening the Bronchos with powerful offensive drive. But the Bronchos drew first blood with a touchdown by Da'Marean Pullen at 9:23. A little over a minute later, the Tigers scored with a drive consisting of four plays lasting a minute and 21 seconds. UCO blocked the kick, holding back ECU by one point. Later in the first quarter, Kendell Hendrix caught a 24-yard pass from Brandon Noohi to start the Bronchos on quick drive to the goal. A holding penalty prevented the Bronchos from counting a touchdown, but Daniel Morrell caught a pass at the five-yard line. UCO succeeded in adding
another touchdown to the scoreboard, ending the first quarter 14-6. In the second quarter, the Bronchos scored once again with a run-in by Noohi at 14:29. UCO's Code Red Defense prevented the Tigers from scoring in the second quarter and had three interceptions in the second quarter alone. The Tigers did not make it easy on the Bronchos, though. The Tigers only allowed the Bronchos a field goal for the last score of the first half. The Tigers powered up for a comeback in the second half and UCO made mistakes in the third quarter, including two turnovers, that gave ECU momentum. Several holding penalties cost the Bronchos yards and two touchdowns. ECU scored first in the third and added a two-point conversion in a well-given effort to regain ground. The Bronchos finally scored a touchdown with a pass to Morrell, but the Chad Susman's extra point kick was blocked. The score at the end of the third quarter was 14-30. UCO failed to score in the fourth quarter, but they succeeded in holding off ECU. The Tigers scored a field goal, but it was not enough to bridge the two-touchdown gap. The game ended with the Bronchos triumph-
ing, 30-17. Noohi topped in rushing yards with 63, Jason Palmer was second with 44, and Pullen came in third with 32 yards. Ryan Gallimore received six passes for 56 yards, Rick Montgomery received five for 66 yards and Hendricks caught three for 44 yards. Morrell also caught three passes for 39 yards. Marcus Martinez, K.C. Asiodu and Matt Gates all tied for first in tackles this week with 11 tackles each. Martinez assisted in a sack and Asiodu had three sacks for the game. Terry Hardeman had 9 tackles and assisted in a sack. Head coach Tracy Holland said he was proud of his team, despite the lackluster second half. "They kept fighting away. I give them a huge amount of respect and credit," he said. He commended the defense for preventing a comeback by the Tigers. ECU's quarterback, Marcus Johnson, was the Lone Star Conference's Offensive Back of the Year last year, and the Broncho defense pushed into Johnson's comfort zone, shaking the quarterback up. "The defense put them in the hole," said Holland. "It was a championship game."
Thunder rolls for first win in 2nd OKC outing By Kaylea Brooks Sports Editor
OKLAHOMA CITY-- I n light of the Oklahoma City Thunder's lackluster inaugural game last Wednesday, fans are grateful for Sunday's win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 88-85. Over 19,000 fans poured into the Ford Center for the season opening game, only to watch the Thunder lose to the Milwaukee Bucks, 98-87. None of the big star players broke past 15 points for the entire game. Chris Wilcox topped the shooting game with just those 15 points and Russell Westbrook followed with 13. Last year's NBA Rookie of the Year, Kevin Durant, only put 12 points on the board. The game started with back-and-forth baskets by both teams. Earl Watson scored the first basket in Thunder history by driving in a layup and scored off a jump shot later in the period. Chris Wilcox and Desmond Mason both put points on the board with jump
shots. With those scores and free throws in between, the Thunder stayed close behind the Bucks. The period ended with the Bucks leading 24-14. The game continued to remain close in the second period with the Thunder scoring to keep within a 10-point range of Milwaukee. Towards the end of the first half, the Bucks began to pull away, putting space between them and the Thunder. In the third period, the Thunder briefly rallied in a last-ditch-effort comeback, but they could not keep the Bucks from scoring. Fan and local storeowner, Lisa Patterson, said she was impressed with the fans' enthusiasm. "Downtown, there was an awesome atmosphere," said Patterson. "I was impressed with the opening. It was pretty cool." David Stern, NBA commissioner, opened the inaugural game accompanied by light flashes and stereos blaring rolls of thunder in the background. With 19,000 fans cheering, the
team gathered on the floor. But when it came to the actual play of the Thunder, Patterson admitted the team was subpar. "We're really bad," she said. "The players didn't play enthusiastically. But the fans got into it a little." After a loss to the Rockets in Houston on Saturday, Sunday's win against the Timberwolves lifted the heads of Thunder fans, proving that the team can hold its own. Westbrook gave the Thunder momentum to pull the scraping victory, scoring 13 unanswered points to put Oklahoma City ahead, 86-85, with 2:19 left in the fourth period. The Thunder held back the Timberwolves for the remaining time and Nick Collison made the last shot with only 16 seconds left in the game. The win was controversial, due to Milwaukee's Ryan Gomes missing a three-point shot because of a foul. The basket would have tied the game, but the foul did not count because it occurred after the game was over.
How Will You Get To Graduate School? Let the UCO McNair Scholars Program lead you there!
1/ Graduate School Preparation Application workshops Campus visits GRE/GMAT workshops Application fee waivers
/
1
AV NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!
Research Opportunities Summer research internship $3,150 Research stipend Publication Conferences
Academic Services Advisement Tutorial Assistance Cultural Events UCO Tuition Waivers
Deadline is Friday, November 7!
For information call 974-3601 or visit our website at www.uco.edu/edgrants/McNair