DALLAS — Connors State survived a furious rally by Mountainview College to take a 72-69 win Saturday at the Joe Huey Thanksgiving Classic.
The Cowboys, ranked No. 4 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I poll, led 40-28 at the half and extended that to a 21-point advantage early in the second half before Mountainview made its rally behind seven 3-pointers and cut the deficit to two with about 1:30 remaining.
“They came down and started making some 3s, and that made it a closer game obviously,” Connors coach Bill Muse said. “I didn’t ever think we were on the verge of losing it. We were able to hang on.”
Connors led the entire game and got a game-high 30 points from C.J. Washington. Ray Jones and Corey Wilford both finished with 10 points.
Starter Orlando Brown was injured in the first half and didn’t play after intermission. Jarvis Garner, another starter, did not suit because of an injury.
“We’ve got a lot of people banged up,” Muse said. “But some freshmen got some key minutes. Wilford and (Corderio) Maclin played well.”
Connors (10-0) returns to action Tuesday with an Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference game against Carl Albert in Warner.
