Box Score Unable to slow down the inside tandem of Ronnie Boyce and Willie Atwood, the Northeastern A&M Golden Norsemen dropped an 87-72 decision Thursday night in the NEO Field House to the No. 25 ranked Connors State College Cowboys.


While snapping a five-game winning streak, the Golden Norsemen are 10-5 on the season and 2-2 in the Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Norsemen travel to Wilburton Monday for an 8 p.m. OCAC contest against Eastern State College.
Coach Bill Muse's Cowboys are 13-2 on the season and 4-1 in the conference.
After five lead changes in the first 10 minutes, Boyce, a freshman from Oklahoma City, canned two straight 3-point field goals to give Connors an 18-12 margin at the 9:55 juncture.
Four points by Igor Ibaka and field goals by Lionel Green Jr. and Ja'mill Powell rallied NEO to a 23-20 deficit at the seven-minute mark.
While hitting a blistering 6 of 11 from 3-point range in the first half, the Cowboys carried a 45-34 margin to the locker room.
Relentless layups by both Boyce and sophomore Atwood from Memphis, Tenn., in the second half enabled Connors to put the game out of reach.
Ibaka paced the Norsemen with 22 points and 11 rebounds while Christian Leach added 13, Luther Thomas 11, Jake Roach nine, Powell six, Green four, Terrence Clemens three, Derrick Frye two and Joao de Sa two.
Boyce poured in 31 points while Atwood contributed 29 points and 11 rebounds for the Cowboys. Corlbe Ervin scored nine, Devonte Robinson six, Quan Jones five, Kris Brown four and Kayshaune Spencer three.