Cowboys Roll Over Eastern State 92-77 in OCAC Play

WARNER—It was Fast and Furious at Melvin Self Field House Monday night.

Connors State fought off Eastern Oklahoma State's pressing defensive pressure all game to capture an impressive 92-77 Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference homecoming victory.

The Cowboys improved to 19-5 on the year and 8-3 in OCAC play, while the Mountaineers fall to 18-5 and 6-5 in league play.

Connors placed four players in double figures led by the 28-point performance of Terrance Jones. Point-guard Callen Haydon had a career high 22 on the night. Haydon was followed by Burke Putnam with 18, while Tyrees Sidberry returned to lineup afar attending a funeral last week, scored 10 points in the victory.

Cowboys will now go on the road Thursday to play Redlands Community College. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.

Bodies were all over Bill Muse Court in a very physical contest between the arch-rivals.

"Our guards played much better this time," said Cowboys head coach Bill Muse. "We were much better prepared a month later (Cowboys lost the earlier game 93-91).

"Our kids have worked hard. We played well against their press, but we are still making too many turnovers.

"It was a physical game. They were bumping and grinding all over the place. But anytime you come away with a victory its good," said Muse.

Connors led at the half 44-37 behind Jones'16-point barrage. Cowboys held a 14-point first half lead, the largest of the opening 20 minutes, 28-14 at the 9:35 mark.

In the second half Connors open with a 16-5 run to grab a 62-45 advantage with 13:45 remaining in the run-and-gun contest.

The Mountaineers battled back to within nine points of the Cowboys, 80-71, with 2:33 remaining. But it was too-little too-late for the visitors.

Eastern's scoring was led by Dante Adams with 17 points, with Elisha Hobbs adding another 16 in the loss.

CONNORS STATE 92, EASTERN STATE 77

Eastern State 37 40--77

Connors State 44 48--92

Eastern State (18-5, 6-5))—Adams 17, Hobbs 16, Richardson 9, Lennox 9, Byrd 8, Turray 6, Pratt 6, Smith 3.  Mosley 2, D. Mosley 1.

Connors State (19-5, 8-3)—T. Jones 28, Haydon 22, Putnam 18, Sidberry 10, Tanksley 6, I. Jones. 6, Lowe 2.