The Chadron State College men’s basketball team shot 63.6% from the field while building a 57-25 halftime lead and went on to defeat Ecclesia College from Springdale, Ark., 94-67 during the second day of the Permian Basin Thanksgiving Classic at Odessa, Texas, on Saturday.
Now 3-3, the win was the third straight for the Eagles, who will open their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedule by playing at home twice this coming weekend, Dec. 2 and 3.
Chadron State jumped out to a 14-2 lead in less than four minutes Saturday, and also closed the first half with an even stronger run. During the final 6 ½ minutes before intermission, the Eagles made eight-of-nine field goal shots and all four free throws while outscoring the Royals 20-2.
For the game, the Eagles shot 54.4% (37-68), including 11-of-23 on 3-point attempts, and made nine of their 11 free throws. They also won the rebounding battle by a 43-33 margin and came away with 13 steals, one less than their turnover total.
Junior guard Isaiah Wyatt was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points on eight-of-12 from the field, including seven-of-10 from behind the arc. Forward Josh Robinson made eight of his 10 field goal shots and both free throws while tallying 18 points. Center Porter Anderson added 14 points while going five-of-seven from the field and four-of-five at the free throw stripe.
In addition, Jarrett Taylor sank three-of-five 3-pointers for nine points. Another big contribution came from Anderson’s backup in the post, 6-8 Martin Poznanovic. He was four-of-eight from the field for eight points and grabbed six rebounds.
Guards Marcus Jefferson and Bryce Latimer distributed the ball well, getting credit for seven and five assists, respectively.
Ecclesia, which forced classic host Permian Basin into overtime Friday before falling 93-86, shot 36% (23-64) from the field, including seven-of-21 from long range, and was 12-of-18 at the line against the Eagles.
Eleven players scored for the Royals, led by Tanorrio Ransburgh with 14 and Tyrell Edwards with 12.
The Eagles’ foes this weekend will be Colorado State-Pueblo on Friday night and New Mexico Highlands on Saturday night.
Chadron State—Isaiah Wyatt 23, Josh Robinson 18, Porter Anderson 14, Jarrett Taylor 9, Martin Poznanovic 8, Marcus Jefferson 7, Bryce Latimer 6, Chris Roberts 5, MJ Foust 2, Conner McCracken 2. Totals: 37-68 (11-23) 9-11 94 points, 43 rebounds, 14 turnovers.
Ecclesia—Tanorrio Ransburgh 14, Tyrell Edwards 12, Elijah Sanford-Wilson 7, Jesus Abel Jimenez 7, Wisdom Kowouto 6, Justin Reeves 5, Brandon Jackson 4, David Lynch 4, Kengi Bryant 2, Elochukwu Nwodo 2, Terrell Green 2. Totals: 23-64 (7-21) 12-18 64 points, 33 rebounds, 18 turnovers,
Chadron State 57 37 —94
Ecclesia 25 40 —65
3-pointers: CSC—Wyatt 7, Taylor 3, Jefferson 1. Ecclesia—Edwards 2, Ransburgh, Lynch, Sanford-Wilson, Reeves, Jimenez, all 1.