After trailing by as many as 11 points and never leading in the first half, the Chadron State College men’s basketball finally tied the score at 31-31 just before halftime, then dominated the second half by a 45-23 margin to win 76-54 while playing at New Mexico Highlands on Friday night.
The win was the seventh in a row for the Eagles, who are now 15-8 for the season and 12-5 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
The Eagles seemed lethargic early in the game, scoring only seven points in the first seven minutes. They shot just 42% (13-31) in the opening half, but made up for lost time in the second half while hitting 65.5% (19-29).
Highlands employed several defensive strategies, including a full-court press in the second half, but the Nebraska visitors coached by Shane Paben used speed and teamwork to continually build their lead.
Five Eagles scored in double figures. Josh Robinson led with 18 points, Porter Anderson scored 17, Marcus Jefferson 15, Bryce Latimer 14 and Isaiah Wyatt 12.
Highlands shot right at 38% from the field in both halves, but after making seven of 17 three-point shots in the opening half, was zero of nine from behind the arc in the second half.
Chadron State also made seven 3-pointers, but took just 14 long range shots. Jefferson, the Eagles’ team captain, was four-of-six to set the pace.
Highlands’ Dante Moses, a 6-5 senior and the second leading scorer in the RMAC with a 23.5 average, scored 27 points Friday night, exactly half his team’s total. He was 11 of 23 from the field and four of eight on 3-pointers. No one else had more than eight points for the Cowboys, now 9-14 overall and 7-10 in the conference.
The Eagles will play at Colorado State-Pueblo on Saturday night. The ThunderWolves beat Colorado Christian 77-58 Friday night
Chadron State—Josh Robinson 18, Porter Anderson 17, Marcus Jefferson 15, Bryce Latimer 14, Isaiah Wyatt 12. Totals: 32-60 (7-14) 5-6 76 points, 35 rebounds, 10 turnovers.
New Mexico Highlands—Dante Moses, 27, Tyler Rodgers 8, Tyrell Coleman 8, TJ Sanchez 4, Mario Archuleta 3, Jaylen Domina-Lovato 2, Nathan Hasberry 2. Totals: 23-61 (7-26) 1-1 54 points, 11 turnovers.
Chadron State 31 45 —76
N.M. Highlands 31 23 —54
3-pointers: CSC—Jefferson 4, Wyatt 2, Anderson 1. NMHU—Moses 4, Rodgers 2, Archuleta 1.