ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (Interstat) — The Cowley College Tigers will open their 2025-26 men’s basketball season Friday night when they host the winless Western Nebraska Cougars.

The game will be the first for Cowley since a 2024 NJCAA tournament loss to Northwest Florida State on March 25, 2024. The Tigers enter the contest with an 0-0 record.

Western Nebraska (0-2) is seeking its first victory after a pair of high-scoring home losses last week. The Cougars fell 95-89 to Snow on Oct. 31, followed by a 91-82 defeat against Dodge City on Nov. 1.

In the loss to Dodge City, Viktor Lukic-Gavric led the Cougars with 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Amare Jackson added 12 points and five rebounds, while Xavier Kirkpatrick scored 14 points.

The game is the first of a challenging road stretch for Western Nebraska, which plays at Butler (Kan.) on Saturday. Cowley will continue its season at home against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M on Saturday.