Preview: Golden Norseman Visit Mavericks in Junior College Matchup

TONKAWA, Okla. (Interstat) — A pair of Oklahoma junior college men’s basketball programs on divergent tracks will meet Monday when Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa hosts Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

The Mavericks (4-3) enter the contest above .500 and riding the momentum of a decisive 81-65 road victory over Grayson College on Dec. 13. In that win, Jarvis Palmer led all scorers with 18 points, while Jaydon Awe added 10 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots. Ryan Rodriguez contributed 14 points.

Conversely, the Golden Norseman (2-7) are mired in a five-game losing streak. Their most recent outing was a 96-88 home loss to Missouri State-West Plains on Dec. 2, despite strong individual performances. Kelton Williams scored 20 points and dished six assists, Justin McCarter recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Jed Ethan-Nansha added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Northeastern Oklahoma A&M’s season has been defined by offensive struggles and defensive lapses, allowing an average of 86.2 points per game during their current skid. Their only wins came on the road at Missouri State-West Plains (97-79) on Nov. 12 and against Wabash Valley (70-58) on Nov. 27.

Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa has shown more consistency, particularly at home where they are 2-0 this season, including an 81-51 rout of Western Texas. Their results feature a mix of blowout wins and competitive losses against strong opponents like Cowley and Barton.

The matchup will pit the Mavericks’ more balanced record against the Golden Norseman’s desperate search for a turnaround. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M will need its top scorers—Williams, McCarter and Ethan-Nansha—to fire efficiently to snap the streak.

This game is the first of a home-and-home series between the teams this season. They will meet again at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M on Thursday, Feb. 5.

Monday’s game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tipoff at the Tonkawa campus.