ARKANSAS CITY, Kansas -- Freshmen Tyrel Morgan had 24 points and 11 rebounds and the NOC Mavs made six of eight free throws down the stretch in a thrilling 106-103 win over Cowley College Wednesday night in Arkansas City, Kansas.
NOC (3-0) had five others in double figures with sophomore guard Demaree King adding 22 points while Gianfranco Grafals had 13, Barron Tanner 12, J.D. Ray 11, and Avante Lederer 11.
Tanner also added eight rebounds and four blocks
"Really proud of our guys for going on the road and picking up a big time road win," said head coach Donnie Jackson. "We had a lot of guys step up. Demaree (King) got us going early, Tyrel (Morgan) and Pipo (Grafais) were both really good and Barron (Tanner) made some timely shots for us. Avante (Lederer) and JD (Ray) made big free throws down the stretch in a hostile environment."
"We have to learn to take care of the ball better and find a way match up quicker but Cowley is a tough matchup because of their style of play." Jackson added. "You have to be engaged mentally the entire time, they are a really good team. What a great college basketball game. It had high energy, high intensity, just how a rival game is supposed to be."
After leading 51-46 at half, the Mavs found themselves down 66-61 after a Cowley 9-0 run to take a 66-61 lead.
But the Mavs then went on a 13-0 run of their own to build a 74-66 lead.
NOC held a 96-88 lead with 3:25 remaining but Cowley cut the lead once again to 98-97 with 2:10 left.
Cowley tied the game at 100-100 but Lederer answered with a short jumper and two free throws to help seal the win.
NOC controlled the first half building as much as an 11 point lead before taking a 51-46 lead in the halftime locker room.
The Mavs shot 54 percent (37-68) from the field, 41 percent (10-24) from 3-point range and 82 percent (22-27) from the line.
Mavs 106, Cowley 103
1 2--Total
Mavs 51 55-- 106
Cowley 46 57-- 103
Mavs--T. Morgan 24, D. King 22, P. Grafais 13, B. Tanner 12, A. Lederer 11, J.D. Ray 11, S. Grisby 6, D. Bankston 5, M. Crawford 2.