Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa Collars The Bulldogs
Northern Oklahoma – Tonkawa, the #2 seed in this year’s tourney was matched up with the Holmes CC Bulldogs from Mississippi. Holmes had advanced to the second round via their 71-66 win over defending Champion Vincennes on Monday.
Northern jumped out quick establishing a 7-0 margin in the first three minutes. The Mavericks kept the heat on increasing the lead to 14, at 20-6 at the 7:21 mark. After the mandatory standing eight count, Holmes got off the canvas in time to put an 8-0 run together at 20-14.
The Bulldogs were actually able to get take the lead, 29-28 on a Darius Clark lay-up. Clark tied Tyler Talley for team high 13 points. Kaleb Higgins was the only other Maverick in doubles, netting 12.
Holmes actually out shot the #2 seed Mavs 40 to 35% in the first stanza, but still trailed by three, 32-29. Both team had 10 FG’s including 4 threes, the Mavs advantage was making 3 more free tosses.
Tonkawa patiently extended their lead after the break, pulling ahead by 14 half way into period #2. The Mavs increased the margin to 17 with five to play, before settling for the 11 point spread, 77-66, and a trip to the quarterfinals.
Holmes finished the season 16 and 4, after a Gulf District title and third appearance at nationals. It was the Bulldogs third overall trip to Hutch, all as District Champions under Head Coach Jason Flanigan.
NOC had a trio of double digit performers, led by Tyler Morgans’ game high 26. Morgan, a 6’5″ SO from Atlanta, GA, went 7 of 10 on FG’s, and connected on 11 of his 12 charity throws. JD Ray (5’10” SO guard), who hails from Midwest City, OK, finished with 24. Nate Goodlow gathered a team high 6 rebounds.
Much of Northern Oklahoma’s succes came from their turnover marging, creating 21 Bulldog miscues compared to 14 of their own. The key is they held a 32-12 margin in points off those turnovers.
With the win, Tonkawa (24-1) will move on to play the winner of the Odessa College (TX)/Coffeyville CC (KS) game which started at 8:00 Tuesday, no final was available at the time of this writing. That game will be on Thursday, April 22 at 2:00.
