Cowboys Knock Off RV Aggies in OCAC Action

Emotions were still on high Monday night at Melvin Self Fieldhouse, but the outcome was much better for the Connors State Cowboys as they defeated Murray State in OIC action 60-49.

Cowboys Knock Off RV Aggies in OCAC Action
Box Score
January 13, 2025

Warner, OK- Emotions were still on high Monday night at Melvin Self Fieldhouse, but the outcome was much better for the Connors State Cowboys as they defeated Murray State in OIC action 60-49.

It was just a week ago that the Cowboys played their first game since the unexpected death of CSC coach Bill Muse's wife Connie over the holidays and the Cowboys did little right as they lost to Western 60-56. And while it was evident that things were still topsy turvy in Muse's world, the team responded better to pull out the win.

"Last week we got beat by emotions and part of that was on me. We got out rebounded badly, we had 20 turnovers and missed 18 free throws but tonight we did better in all three categories," said Muse. "We got out to a better start than last week, and they had to play catchup all night. Our defense was outstanding because anytime you can hold a team under 50 points you're guarding well and playing hard."

Connors led from the outset though, never by more than nine points. But each time the Aggies would make a run at the Cowboys, Connors answered back. The Cowboys led 43-34 with eight minutes left in the game only to see Murray State (12-3, 1-1) trim the difference to just two at 47-45 with four minutes to play. But Connors went on an 8-2 run to lead 55-47 with 1:32 left and were able to close the game out to go 12-2 on the season and 1-1 in conference play.

A three-pointer by Jaylen Lee and clutch free throw shooting by Kevin Stubblefield and DJ Dormu down the stretch over the last four minutes proved to be the difference. Dormu led the Cowboys with 15 points followed by Lee with 14 and DaShaun Spence with 11 as Connors had just 15 turnovers on the night and were 13-of-19 from the free throw line, all in the second half.

Connors gets the rest of the week off before embarking on a tough three games in six days stretch with games at Seminole Saturday and Northern-Tonkawa Monday before returning home Jan. 23 to play Northern-Enid.