ENID, Oklahoma -- The 7th ranked and top seeded NOC Mavericks outlasted NEO 77-72 at the Stride Bank Center in Enid Friday afternoon in the NJCAA Region 2 Semi-Finals.

NOC (22-1) now faces NOC Enid (17-4).  The two teams split their season series each winning at home.

Tip-off is at 2 p.m.

The winner receives an automatic bid to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.  The loser may qualify as an at-large team for the tournament.

"It's all about surviving and advancing this time of year," said coach Donnie Jackson.  "We made enough plays down the stretch when we needed to and found a way. NEO played well. I give them a lot of credit."

The Mavs were led by JD Ray with 23 points while Tyrel Morgan added 19 and Avante Lederer 11.

Morgan had 11 rebounds while Ray had seven assists.

The Mavs took a 39-38 lead on a Dylan McLean shot at the buzzer, a lead the Mavs wouldn't relinquish.

NOC built a 10 point lead on three separate occasions but NEO would rally each time cutting the lead to 75-72 with :08.3 left but Ray sealed the win with two free throws.

"Everything is on the line tomorrow," Jackson said.  "It's an all NOC championship game. It should be a great game and environment. Enid is playing at a high level. We will need to be locked in for 40 minutes."

Mavs 77, NEO 72

               1     2-Total

Mavs       39   38-- 77

NEO        38   34-- 72

Mavs--J. Ray 23, T. Morgan 19, A. Lederer 11, D. McLean 9, S. Grisby 4, J. Wilson 4, N. Goodlow 3, M. Berry 2, M. Crawford 2.