Cowboys Fiight Off Eastern State 97-88 to Remain Atop OCAC Standings
In one of the most intense rivalaries in the Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference, Monday night's game at C.C. Dunlap Field House was no different.
WILBURTON -- In one of the most intense rivalaries in the Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference, Monday night’s game at C.C. Dunlap Field House was no different.
The 19th-ranked Connors Cowboys captured a stunning 97-88 victory over Eastern Oklahoma State to maintain a first place tie in the OCAC with Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa. NOC-Tonkawa defeated Seminole State 69-68 to keep the league top spot deadlocked.
Connors improved to 19-2 overall and 7-1 in league action. Eastern State falls to 12-6 and 2-6. The Cowboys return home Thursday night to play host to Northeastern A&M at Melvin Self Field House. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.
"We played very well the first half on defense, giving up just 34 points, but in the second half we gave up 52, which is too many," said head coach Bill Muse.
"We gave them too many from behind the arc and just too many open looks. But we knew that going into the game. They have been averaging 14 threes (14 against the Cowboys).
"The biggest disappointment was our defense in the second half," said Muse.
Mason Jones led the Cowboys offensive assault with 33 points, a career high, while Ra'Shawn Langston added 20 more. Also scoring in double figures for the Cowboys was Darius Roy with 15 and Bishop Coulter with 10 more.
"It's a big rivalry and we come over here and win. As long as we keep winning....It was a good atmosphere for a junior college game," said Muse.
Teven Brewer led the Mountaineers with 34 points, Devin Mosely adding 12 with Kaelen Childs and Elisha Hobbs contributing 11 each.
The Cowboys held a 51-36 lead at the half before the Mountaineers battle back to within six points, 92-86 with 1:00 remaining. Connors then drained 5-of -6 at the free throw line to secure the win.
CONNORS STATE 97, EASTERN STATE 88
Connors State 51 46--97
Eastern State 36 52--88
Connors State (19-2, 7-1)--M. Jones 33, Langston 20, Roy 15, Coulter 10, Putnam 8, T. Jones 8, Bobb 2, Cockrell 1.
Eastern State (12-6, 2-6)--T. Brewer 34, D. Mosely 12, Childs 11, Hobbs 11, T. Mosely 9, Dawkins 6, Watts 5.