By Con Marshall BOX SCORE
The Chadron State College men’s basketball team got off to stumbling start, making only three of 18 field goal attempts while falling behind 26-7 in the first 12 minutes and ultimately lost to Fort Lewis 88-72 in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game played in Durango, Colo., on Friday night.
After the dreadful beginning, the Eagles did better. They were still behind 40-28 at halftime, but cut the difference to 44-39 some 3 ½ minutes into the second half. However, the Skyhawks went on an 8-0 run and led by between 12 and 20 points the rest of the way.
For the game, Fort Lewis shot 56.4% (31-55) and the Eagles 37.9% (25-66). Led by six 3-pointers by Dalton Peterson, Chadron State had 10 treys, one more than the Skyhawks. Peterson’s 18 points led the visitors in scoring. Fellow guard Bryce Latimer scored 17 points and handed out a game-high six assists.
Also for the Eagles, forward Josh Robinson added 14 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, although Fort Lewis won the battle off the glass 42-35.
The Skyhawks’ Agbim Obi, who was 5-of-7 on 3-pointers, was the game’s top scorer with 21 points while Junior Garbrah was both 6-of-9 from the field and at the free throw line for 20 points. Six-foot-nine Brayden Carter added 10 points and led his team with eight rebounds.
             The Skyhawks, who entered the game ranked 12th in NCAA Division II, are now 14-2 for the season and 9-1 in the RMAC. Chadron State is 9-7 and 6-4. The Eagles will play at Adams State on Saturday night. Colorado Christian edged the Grizzlies 82-81 Friday night by making a layup with seven seconds remaining.
 Fort Lewis 88, Chadron State 72
             Chadron State—Dalton Peterson 18, Bryce Latimer 17, Josh Robinson 14, Jalen Patterson 9, Julio Phipps 6, John Jenkins 3, Akene Agee 2, Caden Schlafani 2, Martin Poznanovic 1. Totals: 25-66 (10-27) 12-18 72 points, 35 rebounds, 11 turnovers, 14 assists.
             Fort Lewis—Obi Agbim 21, Junior Garbrah 20, Brayden Carter 10, Jhei-R Jones 9, Amondo Miller 7, Sekou Dembele 7, Sam Kinsler 6, Isaiah Thompson 4, Malik Whitaker 4. Totals: 31-55 (9-21) 17-29 88 points, 42 rebounds, 13 turnovers, 13 assists.
             Chadron State           28           44        —-72
             Fort Lewis                   40           48       —-88
            3-pointers: CSC—Peterson 6, Patterson 3 Latimer 1. FLC—Agbim 5, Garbrah 2. Miller 1, Kinsler 1.