MIAMI, Oklahoma --  The NOC Lady Mavs played a strong first half against 24th ranked NEO but fell to the Lady Norse 79-61 Monday night in Miami.

NOC (4-12) fell to 1-5 in conference play.  NEO (13-5) improved to 5-1 in the OCAC.

NOC hosts Murray State Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m.

The Lady Mavs gave NEO all they wanted the first half trailing 39-36 at half before the Lady Norse pulled away in the second half outscoring NOC 40-25.

Tahanee Bennell led NOC with 22 points and nine rebounds.   Carlee Murray also reached double figures with 10.  Jaiden Biddy and Bailey White had five rebounds each.

"We played well for three quarters," said coach Greg Krause. "Their depth got to us in the long run. I thought our starters did a good job."

NOC played without starter Chelsea Rhoades who was ill and did not make the trip.

The Lady Mavs host Murray State Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

NEO 79, Lady Mavs 61

                  1     2     3     4--Total

Lady Mavs  22   14   11   14--  61

NEO           23   16   19   21--  79

NOC--T. Bennell 22, C. Murray 15, B. White 10, J. Biddy 7, T. Watkins 5, T. Jones 2.

NEO--B. Mununga 20, M. Jackson 12, K. Brooks 11, J. Johnson 11, E. Stebetakova 10, R. Blackbear 6, E. McAdams 5, K. Holt 3, I. Arango 1.