ARKANSAS CITY, Kansas – the NOC Mavericks dropped their season opener 74-68 at Cowley College Wednesday night.

  The theme of Wednesday's game was Cowley building a lead and Northern fighting back.

  The Tigers built a 26-16 lead in the first half before NOC rallied to 31-30 at half.

  The Mavericks tied Cowley at 34-34 early in the second half before Cowley jumped out to a 57-44 lead midway in the second half.

  Northern wouldn't die as the Mavs cut the lead to 57-51 on a dunk by Amir Allen.  Cowley then built the lead to 64-53 before NOC rallied again to 64-58 on a free throw by Allen.

  NOC cut the lead to as little as four at 72-68 in the game's waning seconds before two Tiger free throws sealed the win.

  Freshman Amir Allen led the Mavs with 22 while fellow freshman Trevion Lamar added 19.  Keiodre Perry also reached double figures with 11.

  Cowley out rebounded NOC 45-37.  Lamar and Uzuegbunem led the team with seven boards each.         

  "We are a very young team and it showed against Cowley," said NOC coach Donnie Jackson.  "We made a lot of mistakes but fortunately they are correctable.  I'm looking forward to our games this weekend (Allen County) to see how we respond."

              1     2--Total

NOC    30   38--  68

Cowley 31  43—74

  NOC—Amir Allen 22, Trevion Lamar 19, Keiodre Perry 11, Demaree King 5, Khobe Austin-Johnson 6, Chris Hamil 2, Omar Boone 2, Anselm Uzuegbunem 1.

  Cowley—Cowart 26, Rembert 13, A. McGee 6, Van Dyke 3, D. McGee 6, Starks 6, Harrison 6, Kinnamon 4, Pack 2, Collins 2.