The Chadron State College men’s basketball team opened its Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedule with a rousing 83-71 victory over Colorado State-Pueblo in the Chicoine Center on Friday night. The win was the fourth in a row for the Eagles after they lost three narrow decisions to open the season.
Coach Shane Paben was pleased with the Eagles’ performance, noting that all nine who saw action provided some crucial, positive minutes.
There were nine ties and 11 lead changes in the opening half before the Eagles got a layup from MJ Foust and a three-pointer from Jarrett Taylor in the final 68 seconds to take a slim 45-41 halftime advantage. They never gave up the lead in the second half, when the margin ranged from four to 14 points.
Chadron State’s smallest player, Bryce Latimer, was the game’s leading scorer with 24 points, and helped seal the verdict by scoring eight points in an 80-second span late in the game.
Twice, Latimer used his quickness to drive into the lane and hit short jump shots, and then made both ends of two one-and-one free throw opportunities that put the Eagles ahead 81-69 with 50 seconds remaining.
The Stone Mountain, Ga., native finished seven-of-15 from the field and eight-of-nine from the free throw line.
Two more Eagles combined for 38 points and helped the Eagles to their 42-33 rebounding advantage.
Forward Josh Robinson was 9-of-12 on field goal shots, made both of his free throws for 20 points, and was the game’s leading rebounder with 10. Guard Isaiah Wyatt added 18 points, 15 of them in the first half, and claimed seven rebounds.
As usual, senior guard Marcus Jefferson also was a major contributor. He scored eight points, grabbed nine rebounds and handed out six assists. Both Jefferson and Wyatt were credited with three steals.
Offensive rebounding was one of the Eagles’ strong suits. They had 15, resulting in 15 second-chance points.
Overall, Chadron State shot 45% (31-69) from the field, while Pueblo shot 48% (29-60). The Eagles got nine more shots because of their 15-8 offensive rebounding advantage and the fact that they had fewer turnovers by an 8-to-13 differential.
Four ThunderWolves scored in double digits. Sophomore guard Lian Ramiro, who tallied 37 points against the Eagles last year when CSC won 88-86 in overtime, was again his team’s leading scorer with 18 points. Swingman Makiah Morris added 14, and senior power forwards Meekness Payne and Elijah Moleon, 13 and 12, respectively.
Pueblo is now 2-5 for the season. The Eagles will host New Mexico Highlands at 6 p.m. Saturday following the women’s game that tips off at 4 o’clock. The Cowboys defeated Colorado Christian 73-62 Friday night in Denver.
CSU-Pueblo—Lian Ramiro 18, Makiah Morris 14, Meekness Payne 13, Elijah Moleon 12. Micah Lamberth 5, DeShaun Cooper 4, Moses Demalek 3, Isaiah Thompson 2. Totals: 29-60 (5-14) 8-12 71 points, 33 rebounds 13 turnovers.
Chadron State—Bryce Latimer 24, Josh Robinson 20, Isaiah Wyatt 18, Marcus Jefferson 8, Pat McLachlan 6, Jarrett Taylor 4, Porter Anderson 2, MJ Foust 2. Totals: 31-69 (6-17) 15-18 83 points, 42 rebounds, 8 turnovers.
CSU-Pueblo 41 30 —-71
Chadron State 45 38 —-83
3-pointers: CSU-P—Ramiro 2, Morris 2, Payne 1. CSC—Wyatt 3, McLachlan 2, Taylor 1.