Saints fall to NOC -- Tonkawa, 71-68, in home opener

LIBERAL, Kan. – The Seward County Community College men's basketball team suffered a tough loss in its home opener to North Oklahoma College – Tonkawa, 71-68, in a non-conference matchup at the Greenhouse on Monday.

The Saints fell to 0-2 while the Mavericks improved to 2-4.

Trayon Grant-Foster had a team-high 15 points to lead four Seward players in double figures. Gary Grant had 13 points, Dekwon Brown chipped in with 12 and Carson Bennett netted 11, including three-of-four from three-point land.

Seward opened up an 11-point advantage heading into halftime, 36-25, before seeing its lead whittle away. Tonkawa used a 15-2 run midway in the second to go out in front, 58-53, with seven minutes remaining.

Seward answered back and took the lead with 25 seconds left, but could not hold on as Tonkawa scored the game-winner in the final seconds.

Benji Nelson and Jace Breath led all scorers with 20 points each, combining for seven, three pointers, for the Mavericks. Kody Hickerson also posted 14 points for Tonkawa.

Seward hosts Eastern Arizona in its next game at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Greenhouse.