By Con Marshall
Three-pointers made much of the difference Saturday afternoon as the University of Sioux Falls men’s basketball team took a 91-68 decision from Chadron State during non-conference action in Sioux Falls.
 The winning Cougars made 14 of 24 shots for 58.3% from 3-point territory, while the Eagles were just five of 21 from behind the arc for 23.8%.
The five Sioux Falls players who scored in double figures made 13 of their 14 long range shots. The leaders were seniors Jake Kettner, who made all five of his 3-point attempts while finishing with 21 points, and Jack Thompson, who was three of four on treys while posting a game-high 23 points.
In addition, both Shawn Warrior, who added 15 points, and Creighton Morisch, who scored 11, were two-of-two from long range and Noah Puetz made his only 3-point shot while adding 10 points.
Bryce Latimer led the Eagles with 22 points, followed by Josh Robinson with 14. Dalton Peterson and Raul Nunez each added eight.
             The Eagles opened the game by making their first three shots for a 6-0 lead and were ahead 20-17 midway in the first half. But they failed to score during the next six minutes while Sioux Falls built a 35-20 lead before the Eagles finally broke their drought.Â
The halftime score was 41-28. The margin on the scoreboard was at least 14 points throughout the final 20 minutes.
Overall, the Cougars shot 41% and the Eagles 35.5% in the first half. Both teams shot considerably better in the second half, with Sioux Falls hitting 61.3% and the Eagles 57.1%.
            Sioux Falls out-rebounded the Eagles 28-20 and was credited with 19 assists compared to just six for the visitors. Leading scorer Thompson also had eight assists.Â
The Eagles, now 2-3 for the season, will open their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedule this coming weekend by playing at Colorado State-Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands. They’ll be home on Saturday, Dec. 9 against Western Colorado.
Sioux Falls is now 3-3.
Chadron State—Bryce Latimer 22, Josh Robinson 14, Dalton Peterson 8, Raul Nunez 8. Jalen Patterson 7, Porter Anderson 4, Jarrett Taylor 3. Julio Phipps 2. Totals: 27-59 (5-21) 9-9 68 points, 20 rebounds, 12 turnovers.
Sioux Falls—Jack Thompson 23, Jake Kettner 21 Shawn Warrior 15, Creighton Morisch 11, Noah Puetz 10, Kenji Scales 6, Kyle Ingwerson 3, Jack Cartwright 2. Totals: 33-65 (14-24) 11-16, 91 points, 28 rebounds, 8 turnovers.
Chadron State 28 40 —-68
Sioux Falls 41 50 —-91
3-pointers: CSC—Peterson 2, Latimer, Taylor, Patterson, all 1. USF—Kettner 5, Thompsom 3, Warrior 2, Morisch 2, Cartwright 1, Puetz 1.