A strong second half spurred the Chadron State College women’s basketball team to a 67-60 victory over South Dakota Mines on Saturday night in Rapid City, ending the Eagles’ 31-game losing streak while playing away from home.
The Eagles were outscored 15-6 in the first quarter and trailed 31-21 at halftime. They shot just 28% (7-25) in the first half, but made 55% (16 of 29) of their field goal attempts in the second half to claim the victory by outscoring the hosts 42-29.
Chadron State never led until forward Shay Powers made a layup with 1:16 left in the third quarter to put the Eagles ahead 43-41. Neither team scored again in the third, and the Eagles remained ahead throughout the fourth stanza.
Seven players scored for Coach Janet Raymer’s team in the final quarter, when the Eagles were eight of 14 from the field, made one of three 3-point shots and were seven of eight at the free throw line.
Senior guard Samiyah Worrell led the Eagles in scoring with 14 points. Powers added 11 points, guard Kyra Tanabe 10 and both Allison Olsen and Olivia Waufle chipped in eight.
Sophomore guard Piper Bauer was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points and tried her best to keep the Lady Rockers in the game by nailing four of her seven 3-pointers in the fourth frame. Sydnee Durtsche added 14 points for the hosts.
For the game, Chadron State shot 42.6% (23-54), made four of 16 three-point tries and were 17-23 at the throw line. Mines shot 38.3% (23-60) from the field, led by Bauer was 9-26 on shots from behind the arc and was five of eight at the charity stripe.
The last time the Eagles had won on the road was January 24, 2000, when they downed Colorado-Colorado Springs 78-74.
The Eagles and the Lady Rockers were both 3-26 overall and 3-10 in the RMAC entering the Saturday night game.
Both Chadron State teams have an unusual schedule this week. They will host Colorado Christian on Tuesday night and Western Colorado on Thursday night in the Chicoine Center. Both double-headers will tip off at 5:30.
Chadron State—Samiyah Worrell 14, Shay Powers 11, Kyra Tanabe 10, Allison Olsen 8, Olivia Waufle 8, Claudia Dollinger 6, Awoti Akoi 6, Riley Aiono 2, Kaydn Comer 2. Totals: 23-54 (4-16) 17-23 67 points, 30 rebounds, 14 turnovers.
South Dakota Mines—Piper Bauer 23, Sydnee Durtsche 14, Lauren Herman 6, Megan Alexander 6, Savea Mansfield 5, Kaydin Davis 2. Totals: 23-60 (9-26) 5-8 60 points, 32 rebounds, 23 turnovers.
Chadron State 6 15 22 24 —67
South Dakota Mines 15 16 10 19 —60
3-pointers: CSC—Worrell 2, Olsen 2. SDM—Bauer 7, Herman 2