Cowboys Knock Off No. 4 Seed Coffeyville CC, 90-85 to Advance to the Elite Eight

HUTCHINSON, Kan—Connors State has joined the Elite of the National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament… that is the Elite Eight.

The 13^th-ranked, No. 12 seeded Cowboys (31-3) disposed of No. 10-ranked and fifth seeded Coffeyville Community College 90-85 in the quarterfinals Wednesday before 4,000 fans at the Sports Arena.

It will be the Cowboys' fifth time under head coach Bill Muse to advance to the Elite Eight. Connors will take on 13^th seeded South Plains Texas, who defeated No. 4 seeded Salt Lake City 79-78. The Texans enter the Connors clash with a 26-8 record.

The Cowboys held a 15-point lead 66-51 at the 11:46 mark of the second half and appeared to have the game well in hand, but Muse knew the Red Ravens would comeback.

"There was way, way too much time left," said Muse. "We knew Coffeyville would make a run and they did. They came back, but our guys were resilient, played hard and made plays when we needed it.

"We made free throws, but the last 10 seconds was a little scary (turnovers)," said Muse, adding "I have to give credit to these guys for being so tough."

Cowboys blistered the Sports Arena nets shooting 56.6 percent from the field, draining 30-of-53 from the field, along with 11-of-21 from behind the arc for 52.4 percent.

Langston, the MVP of the Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference scored 29 points, with Darius Roy adding 26, a career high and Mason Jones 16. Jones also pulled down 10 rebounds for the Cowboys for a double-double as Connors outrebounded the Red Ravens 35-34.

"We had to come in here and dominate and shoot well," said Langston. "That was our mind set tonight."

Roy admitted in the final 10 seconds when it was a game of turnovers, "it was fatigue" that set in.

"I got tired down the stretch and Ra'Shawn helped me out down the stretch. He picked me up and we got the job down."

"We knew rebounding was going to be a factor," said Muse. "We were out rebounded by nine on Monday and knew if we were going to move on in the tournament, we had to rebound better."

A.J. Cochrell scored 9 points in the contest with Bishop Coulter and Zaph Bobb scoring four points each. Terrance Jones added two more.

Muse was quick to point out the play of Cochrell. "He has played excellent the last two games and made some big buckets and grabbed rebounds. He made a big block (shot) when they were making their run.  He has really played well," said Muse.

Connors drained 19-of-25 at the free throw line with the Red Ravens connecting on 22-of 27.

Connors held a 41-37 lead at the half behind Roy and Langston's 15 and 10 point assault.

Cowboys came out firing in the second half rolling to a 15-point advantage 66-51 with 11:46 remaining, the largest lead of the game, as Connors turned upped the offensive pressure.

However, Coffeyville came back chipping away at the Cowboys lead behind Casey Benton (22 points), with T.J. Washington and Marvin Johnson, who finished with 18 points each.

The Red Ravens tied the game at 72-all with 5:19 left. The two clubs exchanged the lead five times until 1:58 showed on the clock when Coffeyville tied the game a second time at 81-81.

Connors took the lead for good when Roy was fouled on a shot and he drained two free throws giving the Cowboys an 83-81 advantage. Cockrell gave CSC a four-point cushion 85-81. Coffeyville made a turnover and Cochrell was fouled and he converted one-of-two free throws for an 86-81 lead with 37 seconds remaining.

Coffeyville in desperation mode missed two shots from behind the arc, and on a rebound Langston was fouled. He converted two at the line for an 88-81 CSC advantage with a victory on the horizon.

But Coffeyville did not fold their tent. Red Ravens made it 88-84 on a trey with 16 seconds left by Benton.

After a series of turnovers by both clubs, Cowboys 'Coulter fouled Benton, who hit one-of-two at the stripe cutting the CSC lead to 88-85.

Mason rebounded the missed charity and he was fouled with six ticks on the clock. He drained both free throws for the 90-85 final as the Red Ravens could not score in the final seconds.

Looking ahead to their next opponent South Plains, Muse said "We have a short turnaround and have to prepare for them. Coffeyville had two weeks to get ready for us, but South Plains has the same situation as us (24 hours).

"They are a very talented team. We are going to have to play our best to beat them," said Muse, adding, "I'm not sure we have played our best yet."

CONNORS STATE 90, COFFEYVILLE CC  85

Connors State 41  49—90

Coffeyville CC  37  48—85

Connors State (31-3)—Langston 29, Roy 26, M. Mason 16, Cockrell 9, Bobb 4, Coulter 4, T. Jones 2.

Coffeyville Community College (29-5—Benton 22, Washington 18, Johnson 18,

Roland 8, Queen 7, Jones 6, Hill 4.