While playing what Coach Shane Paben called “our most complete game,” the Chadron State College men’s basketball team defeated the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs 78-56 on the Eagles’ home court Friday night.
“I can’t say enough about how well we played tonight,” Paben stated. And, while the Eagles shot 53.3% from the field, he primarily talked about the defense during his post-game radio show.
“We took away their transition game, kept them in front of us and didn’t let them get many good looks on 3-pointers. I was proud how well we played,” the coach commented.
This was the same team that beat Chadron State 91-63 in Colorado Springs on January 3. So, the Eagles undoubtedly were seeking a little revenge. Although, the Mountain Lions jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the first three minutes, the Eagles were ahead the remainder of the game, including 46-29 at halftime.
Jarrett Taylor sank a 3-pointer for CSC’s first points. Isaiah Wyatt scored the next 14 to give the Eagles a 17-9 lead with after six minutes had been played. Wyatt was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. Josh Robinson tallied 15 and was the game’s leading rebounder with 11, for his sixth double-double of the season. Taylor sank three more treys to also finish in double figures with 12 points.
In addition, Porter Anderson added 9 points and both Marcus Jefferson and MJ Foust scored eight. All three shot just four times and they combined to sink 11 of the 12.
Paben also was pleased that his team had just two turnovers in the first half, and finished with 18 assists, eight of them by Jefferson, and had only eight total turnovers.
Mac Stodart, a 6-foot-8 native of New Zealand paced the visitors with 15 points. No one else scored more than seven for the Lions. All told, they shot 43% from the field and were four of 18 from 3-point range. Stodart made three of the treys.
Both teams are now 7-5 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Eagles will host the Regis Rangers Saturday evening. Regis defeated Colorado Christian 81-69 Friday night in Denver.
Colorado-Colorado Springs—Mac Stodart 15, Jayden Washington 7, Beni Fungula 6, David Jabedo 6, Sufyan Elkanna 6, Jon’ll Fugett 4, Logan Bracamonte 4, Keegan Phillips 4, Noah Baca 2, Jezza McKenzie 2. Totals: 22-51 (4-18) 8-8 56 points, 26 rebounds, 13 turnovers.
Chadron State—Isaiah Wyatt 20, Josh Robinson 15, Jarrett Taylor 12, Porter Anderson 9, Marcus Jefferson 8, MJ Foust 8, Bryce Latimer 4, Martin Poznanovic 2. Totals: 31-58 (8-18) 8-8 78 points, 30 rebounds, 8 turnovers.
Colorado Springs 29 27 —-56
Chadron State 46 32 —-78
3-pointers—UCCS—Stodart 3, Washington 1. CSC—Taylor 4, Wyatt 2, Jefferson 2.