EMMIE BOESE
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Freshman guard Khamni Cooper scored a tournament high 29 points for No. 19 Connors State to open up day two of the 2024 NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
The Cowboys beat the No. 14 Moberly Aera CC Greyhounds 86-77.
Four players from Connors State's roster scored in double figures. In addition to Cooper's 29 points, sophomore forward Bradyn Hubbard recorded a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. The Cowboys scored zero bench points.
Sophomore guard Akli Evans led Moberly with 20 points. Freshman gaurd Javaris Moye scored 16.
Connors State led 43-22 at halftime. The Cowboys shot 60.0% from the field and 50.0% from the 3-point line in the first half.
Moberly finished the first with 34.4% of shooting from the field and 30.8% from the 3-point line.
On the boards, Connors State outrebounded Moberly 21-12 in the first.
Moberly got within an eight point difference in the second once, but Connors State held them off.
To finish the game, Connors State shot 55.6% from the field, 44.4% from the 3-point line and 69.2% from the free throw line. Moberly's final averages were 41.9% from the field, 30.3% from the 3-point line and 45.5% from the free throw line.
Connors State finished the game with 42 rebounds to Moberly's 29.
Connors State will play No.3 seed Salt Lake tomorrow at 5 p.m.
Glen Grunwald and Rick Kraus will have the game play-by-play tomorrow night on Country 102.9 FM and KWBW 1450 AM/98.5 FM.