Preview: Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa Mavericks at Grayson Vikings

DENISON, Texas (Interstat) — Two men’s junior college basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Saturday when the Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa Mavericks visit the Grayson Vikings.

The non-conference matchup at Grayson College features teams with contrasting recent trajectories. The Mavericks (3-3) enter at .500, while the Vikings (2-12) look to halt a difficult start to their season.

Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa last played on Nov. 22, falling 85-61 at New Mexico. In that contest, Caison Cole led the team with 13 points in 32 minutes, while DJ Howell added 10 points. The Mavericks’ season has been marked by volatility, including a 94-point offensive outburst in a win over Colby on Nov. 14 and a 102-73 road loss to Cowley three days prior.

Grayson is coming off a heartbreaking 63-62 home loss to Murray State (Okla.) on Thursday, its second straight defeat. The Vikings’ season has been a struggle, with their last victory a 69-64 win over Connors State on Nov. 22. A player to watch for Grayson is Gelonni Ervin, though his minutes have been limited in recent contests.

Despite the disparity in records, Interstat’s game simulator projects a dead-even final score of 100-100, suggesting a potentially high-scoring and competitive affair.

For Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa, this game serves as a final tune-up before a lengthy break. The Mavericks do not play again until Jan. 5, 2026, when they host Northeastern Oklahoma A&M to begin conference play.

Grayson also faces an extended hiatus following Saturday’s contest. The Vikings’ next game is not until Jan. 7, 2026, at Southwestern Christian.

Saturday’s tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at the Grayson College Sports Center.