Javontae Campbell scored 32 points and James Brown, Jr. blocked a potential game-tying shot in the final seconds leading the NOC Mavs past Eastern 88-86 in the conference opener in Tonkawa.
Campbell's free throw with :12.7 gave NOC an 88-86 lead and then Brown got a piece of a game tying Mountaineer shot attempt with just :02 remaining.
Campbell had 20 points in the second half as the Mavs built a 14 point lead with 5:00 to play before holding off the visiting Mountaineers.
"It's always good to start region play with a win," said coach Brandon Gossett. "We had multiple guys step up for us to help get the job done. Protecting home court is one of our team goals and we've been able to do that so far."
NOC controlled the game most of the way but couldn't close as Eastern rallied late.
Brown added 18 points while Anthony Ignowski added 11 and Famious French 10.
The Mavs (9-5) are now 1-0 in conference while Eastern (12-3) fell to 0-1 in league play.
NOC hosts Western Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Foster-Piper Fieldhouse.
Mavs 88, Eastern 86
1 2--Total
Eastern 40 46-- 86
Mavs 45 45-- 88
Mavs--J. Campbell 32, J. Brown, Jr. 18, A. Ignowski 11, F. French 10, T. Day 9, M. Dhieu 7, A. Johnson 1.
