By Con Marshall
Maggie Hutka, the leading scorer among women in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with a 20-point average, poured in 30 and two teammates combined for 39 more as the homestanding Colorado Christian Cougars outscored Chadron State 89-76 in Lakewood on Wednesday night.
Each team made 28 field goals, but Christian had nine 3-pointers, two more than the Eagles, and sank 24 of 26 free throws while the visitors were 13-of-19 at the line. Despite the free throw differential, each team was called for 20 fouls.
The Cougars jumped out to a 28-13 first quarter lead, but Chadron State tallied a season-high 33 points in the second frame to hold a 46-44 halftime lead. Christian went ahead with six minutes left in the third period and led the rest of the way.
The Eagles continued to battle and were within six points at 82-76 with 1:35 to play, but did not score again.
Hutka, a 6-1 sophomore, got her 30 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field and by going 12-of-13 at the line. She also was the game’s high rebounder with 11.
Another sophomore, 5-6 Nicole Bowlin, scored 21 points that included going 5-of-6 on 3-pointers, and senior Regan Loconte added 18 for Christian, now 12-9 for the season and 8-7 in the RMAC. Daiiya Jones also had 11 points for the winners.
Despite the loss, things are looking up for the Eagles. Veterans Shay Powers and Olivia Waufle returned to action after both had missed several games because of injuries. Powers finished with 14 points and Waufle with eight points and six rebounds.
Three Eagles besides Powers scored in double figures. Megan Counts had 15 points as well as a team-best seven rebounds. Kylie Krise contributed 11 points and Liberty Line 10.
The CSC women, now 6-14 overall and 4-11 in the conference, will play at Western Colorado in Gunnison on Friday night.
Chadron State—Megan Counts 15, Shay Powers 14, Kylie Krise 11, Liberty Line 19, Olivia Line 8, Awoti Akoi 7, Allison Olsen 6, Camren Morrison 3, Kadyn Comer 2. Totals: 28-57 (7-14) 13-19 76 points, 37 rebounds, 22 turnovers. 18 assists.
Colorado Christian—Maggie Hutka 30, Nicole Bowlin 21, Regan Loconte 18, Dasiya Jones 11, Vicki Perez 7, Agnes Paul 2. Totals: 28-65, (9-22) 24-36 80 points, 33 rebounds, 9 turnovers, 18 assists.
Chadron State 13 33 14 16 —76
Colorado Christian 28 16 24 21 —89
3-pointers: CSC—Counts 3, Krise 2, Line 1, Olsen 1. CCU—Bowlin 5, Loconte 3, Perez 1.