MIAMI, Oklahoma -- The NOC Mavs started strong on the road at NEO Monday night but cold shooting in the second half doomed the Mavs who lost 61-49.

NOC (12-8) saw its conference record drop to 3-3, NEO (15-5) improved to 5-1 in league play.

Omar Boone led the Mavs with 16 points while Khobe Austin-Johnson had 13.

"We came ready to play last night," said Mavs coach Donnie Jackson.  "We had great energy to start the game and built a 20-10 lead but we had some foul trouble and the ball just stopped going in the rest of the half."

Another slow start in the second half hurt the Mavs as NEO opened with an 8-0 run to build a 37-23 lead early in the second half.

"Second half starts have been a concern," Jackson added.  "Once we gave up that early run, it was all uphill from that point.  We played hard and competed, we just couldn't make shots.  Against a team like NEO, you have to take care of the ball, work inside out and then make shots."

Jackson said Murray State will be a challenge on Wednesday night.

"They have a good team," Jackson said of Murray.  "They are playing with passion, we'll need to be ready to go."

Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

NEO 61, Mavs 49

             1     2--Total

NOC     23    26-- 49

NEO     29    32-- 61

NOC -- O. Boone 16, K. Austin-Johnson 13, D. Berrien 8, S. Traylor 4, M. Downing 4, E. Stone 2, M. Lee 1, K. Perry 1.

NEO--J. Morris 16, D. Van Eyck 12, R. Moody 12, R. Williams 7, S. Cele 5, K. L ukasiewicz 5, V. Von Putten 4.