Hutchinson, Kansas

          Central Georgia Tech cut an 8-point deficit to 2 in the final minute, but Connors State kept the Titans at bay at the free-throw line and held on for a 84-78 win Monday night in the first round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament.

          The 21st-seeded Titans were making their national tournament debut, and stayed with the 12th seed from the start, leading as much as the Cowboys.

          The Cowboys took the lead for a chunk of the second half with 16:55 on a 3-pointer by Ra’Shawns Langston, for a 43-40 lead.

          It stayed a one- or two-possession game, CGTC retaking the lead with 10:21 left on Juvante Hayes’ 3-pointer.

          Connors State got on top for awhile on Mason Jones’ layup with 8:34 left. The 30-3 Cowboys seemed to take control and extended the lead to eight three times.

          CGTC kept fighting, though, and got to within 5 a few times, and then to within 2 on DeJon Waters Jr.’s 3-pointer with 25 seconds left.

          Jones made 2 free throws a couple seconds later, and the Titans got a bucket back on Anyeuri Castillo’s dunk with 11 seconds left.

          But Jones was good twice at the line, and the Titans missed a 3-pointer to seal it.

          CGTC was outshot 56.6-45.3 percent, and struggled from 3, outshot 58.3-27.8 percent.

          The Titans forced 5 more turnovers, but points off turnovers were even. The Cowboys also took advantage of 6 blocks, and took 16 more free throws.

          Michael Laster led CGTC with 17 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds. Castillo added 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Cheick Kone had 11 points.

          Jones had 25 and Langston 18 for Connors State.