ALTUS- -Connors State Cowgirls behind the clutch scoring of Cheyanne Craine opened Oklahoma Collegiate Conference play with a 64-58 victory over Western Oklahoma State Thursday on the Pioneers home court.

Cowgirls improved to 9-1 on the year and 1-0 in OCAC play heading into a league clash with Eastern Oklahoma State Monday at Melvin Self Field House. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m.

"We had problems with their pressure, but we hit some big three's which busted open the game," said Coach Jamie Fisher.

Crane, who poured in 15 points, drained three consecutive treys in the fourth quarter.

"Crane came in and gave us a big spark with her treys," said Fisher.

The Pioneers battled back in the second half, tying the Cowgirls twice and took its only lead of the game 47-45 with 4:55 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Connors took the lead for good on a 3-point play on a bucket and free throw by Craine to make it 48-47 on the Cowgirls next possession.

Isabell Gonzalez, who came off the bench to score eight points, six coming in the final 1:40 of the first half as the Cowgirls, who struggled with Western's full court press, finally broke the Pioneers press with Gonzalez scoring on the inside.

Chalynn Mayes, who was replaced by Gonzalez, went down with an injured knee when she hit the floor hard following a rebound and twisted her right knee with 4:45 remaining in the second quarter. She did not return the remainder of the game.

"When Mayes went down it hurt our rotation," said Fisher."But Gonzalez and De'Asia Reid both really stepped up."They made some big shots."

CONNORS STATE 64, WESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE 58

Connors State 19  16 7  22—64

Western State 10  12 13  23—58

Connors State (9-1, 1-0)—Craine 15, L. Wright 11, Reid 9, Gonzales, 8 Mayes 8, McCallister 6, Livers 6, T. Jones 1.  

Western State (3-5, 0-1)—Cobb 18, Brown  16, Levy 12, Armstrong 5, Rogers 5, Johnson 2.