Preview: Connors State Cowboys at Northern Oklahoma-Enid Jets

ENID, Okla. (Interstat) — Two men’s junior college basketball teams with identical conference aspirations but contrasting recent trajectories will meet Thursday when the Connors State Cowboys visit the Northern Oklahoma-Enid Jets.

Tipoff is set for March 5, 2026.

The Cowboys (11-7) enter on a three-game winning streak, including a 76-66 victory over Seminole State on Monday. The Jets (11-10), meanwhile, look to rebound from a narrow 58-55 road loss to Redlands that same night.

Connors State won the first meeting this season, 82-73 at home on Feb. 2. A key to avenging that loss for the Jets will be containing Cowboys forward Peter Da Cruz. The standout is coming off a dominant 18-rebound, 10-point performance in Monday’s win. His presence on the glass will challenge a Northern Oklahoma-Enid squad that has been inconsistent in recent outings.

The Jets counter with guard Gavin Barnard, who recorded a triple-double (17 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) in a win over Seminole State on Feb. 23. Barnard’s all-around play is central to the Jets’ offense, but the team has dropped two of its last three games.

For Connors State, balance has fueled its streak. In the Monday win, Kevin Stubblefield Jr. added 14 points and five assists, while Jermiah Johnson contributed six points, six rebounds and three blocks alongside Da Cruz’s interior dominance.

Northern Oklahoma-Enid’s season has been marked by tight contests, including a one-point road win at Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa and several single-digit losses. Playing at home, where they are 7-4 this season, provides an opportunity to steady their playoff positioning.

The matchup pits Connors State’s current momentum against Northern Oklahoma-Enid’s need to defend its home court and split the season series. With both teams logjammed in the region standings, the result carries significant weight for postseason seeding.