Norton, Carlson Combine for 50 in Bulldog Loss

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Site: Kirksville, Mo. (Pershing Arena)
Score: Central Oklahoma 85, Truman 80
Records: Truman (5-8, 2-3 MIAA), Central Oklahoma (5-8, 3-2 MIAA)
Next Truman Event: Saturday, January 12 – vs. Emporia State (Kirksville, Mo.; 3:00 pm)

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - - Senior guard Tom Norton scored a season-high 26 points behind eight three-pointers, and junior forward Mike Carlson added 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists, but the Truman men's basketball team couldn't overcome a 64% night from the floor by the Central Oklahoma Bronchos in an 85-80 defeat in Pershing Arena on Thursday.

The Bulldogs (5-8, 2-3 MIAA) out-rebounded UCO (5-8, 3-2 MIAA) by five and forced six additional turnovers for the game, recovering from a nine-point halftime deficit to take a 55-54 lead with 15:51 to go in the game. The squads traded the lead for the next eight minutes before a Tyler Anderson (West Des Moines, Iowa, Valley HS) tip-in gave the 'Dogs a 69-68 edge with 7:26 on the clock.

However, from there, a quick lay-up by UCO put the visitors back on top to stay, as Truman got it to a one-point game on two more occasions but never got over the hump, eventually falling 85-80.

Norton (Bloomington, Ill., Central Catholic) finished 8-of-12 from three-point range and added two free throws for his team-high 26 points, while Carlson (Superior, Wis., Marshall) shot 8-of-16 overall (1-4 3FG) and converted on 7-of-9 free throws to chip in his second-highest point total of the season (24). Carlson led all 'Dogs with eight boards, including four on the offensive end, while also handing out a game-high five assists and adding three steals.

Sophomore guard Seth Jackson (St. Louis, Mo., CBC) added 13 points, three boards and three assists, and freshman Cory Myers (Ankeny, Iowa, Ankeny) finished with six points and four assists. For the game, Truman shot 44% from the floor, including 12-of-29 (41%) from three-point range. The Bulldogs used 14 offensive rebounds to garner 21 second-chance points but saw their bench get out-scored 39-8.

UCO got a 27-point, seven-rebound night out of Josh Gibbs, while Spencer Smith added a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double.

The Bulldogs return to the floor this Saturday (Jan. 12) afternoon for a 3:00 pm tilt with Emporia State. The Hornets come to Kirksville with a 5-7 overall record (0-4 MIAA).

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