The Northern Oklahoma Maverick bench had 37 points assisting the Mavs to an 82-76 win over Western Monday night in Tonkawa.

NOC (14-8) is now 5-3 in league play while Western (7-13) dropped to 1-7 in the OCAC.

Omar Boone led the Mavs with 16 points but Mike Lee's 13 and Mike Dowing's 12 off the Mavs bench were key in the win according to head coach Donnie Jackson.

"I was proud of our bench tonight," he said.  "Mike (Lee), Mike (Downing), Sayvon (Traylor) and Deaveon (Bankston) all brought great energy that turned the game around for us in the second half.  That's the energy we need from them on a nightly basis."

"Western is a talented team," Jackson continued.  "They have the region's best low post player and the most overall athleticism.  Their zone really extends out and makes you have to be strong with the ball."

After Western took a 34-32 lead into the dressing room at halftime, the Mavs trailed 43-42 early in the second half when the Mavs went on an 11-2 run to take a 53-45 lead.  Deon Berrien and Omar Boone combined for seven points during that stretch.

Western crawled back within 60-56 at the 7:00 mark but the Mavs kept Western at arms length the rest of the way.  Downing had six points down the stretch while Boone made four straight free throws in the game's final minute.

NOC travels to Seminole on Thursday.

"We squeaked one out at home," Jackson said.  "If we want to stay in the thick of the conference race we need to find a way to get a road win."

Mavs 82, Western 76

                    1     2--Total

Western      32   44--  76

Mavs          34   48--  82

Western --  D. O'Hearn 23, D. Sears 18, W. Simues 11, J. Jones 9, L. Givins 8, O. Okafor 4, B. Rector 3.

Mavs --  O. Boone 16, K. Perry 15, M. Lee 13, M. Downing 12, D. Berrien 8, S. Traylor 7, D. Bankston 5, K. Austin-Johnson 4, E. Stone 2.