EDMOND, Oklahoma -- The NOC Mavs improved to 3-0 with a 71-68 win over Ranger (TX) in the Mike Mitchell Elite 8 Classic at UCO in Edmond.

NOC built a comfortble lead and then had to hold off Ranger.

Caison Cole led the Mavs with 14 while Jaydon Awe added 10.  Awe led the Mavs with eight rebounds and DJ Howell added six assists.

NOC shot 44% from the floor and 35% from 3-point range.  NOC shot 53% (9-16) from the line.

"We found ourselves in a battle late after letting Ranger go on a 14-3 run," said coach Brandon Gossett.  "But we responded with some big plays when we needed them, and some even bigger stops defensively. It's always good for us to play in close games this early in the year. The guys put together a really good weekend but our biggest test await us Tuesday at Cowley."

The Mavs travel to Cowley (KS) on Nov. 11, at 8 p.m.

Mavs 71, Ranger 68

               1     2--Total

Mavs      35   36-- 71

Ranger   33   35-- 68

Mavs--C. Cole 14, J. Awe 10, R. Rodriguez 9, J. Palmer 8, M. Miller 7, E. Bortey 6, D. Johnson 5, X. Willams 4, D. Howell 4, J. Reed 4.