The 12th ranked Northern Oklahoma College Mavericks won their third straight with a 73-58 win over Seminole Monday night at Foster-Piper Fieldhouse in Tonkawa.
The Mavs (20-2) improved to 6-2 in conference play, Seminole (15-6) fell to 5-3 in OCAC play.
NOC moved into sole possession of third place in the region behind Murray and NEO with the 15- point win over the Trojans.
Demaree King led the Mavs with 89 points while Tyrel Morgan added 14, JD Ray 13, and Malik Crawford 10.
NOC led the Trojans 13-11 in the first half and then went on a 17-3 run to build a 30-16 advantage. Freshman guard JD Ray had eight points during the Mavs' run.
NOC led 37-23 at half and the Trojans didn't get within 10 points the rest of the night.
"This was a big win for us," said coach Donnie Jackson. "We were tied with Seminole in the standings and needed to win this game. They are very physical and if you play at their pace, they can hurt you inside. We wanted to try and speed them up as best we could. When we made our big runs, that was the reason."
"Malik (Crawford) really did some good things for us," Jackson added. "It was the best he has played. I hope he keeps that same mentality because he can be a difference maker down the stretch as an enforcer and rebounder."
The Mavs have a bye Thursday and then travel to NEO Monday.
"They are one game up on us in the standings and they really put it on us at home," Jackson said. "We'll need to play really well to have a chance to beat them on the road."
Mavs 73, Seminole 58
1 2— Total
Seminole 23 35-- 58
Mavs 37 36-- 73
Mavs—D. King 18, T. Morgan 14, J. Ray 13, M. Crawford 10, S. Grisby 6, B. Tanner 5, A. Lederer 5, A. Boykin 2.