CHADRON – Chadron State's Christopher Smith scored 18 points and Kendrick Holliman added 17 points and nine rebounds to lead the Eagles to a rousing 71-59 victory over Presentation College in the first-ever game played at the new Chicoine Center Friday in Chadron.
 
Construction at the Chicoine Center began in April 2013. The doors officially opened Nov. 5 and the more than $16 million facility is now the home for CSC basketball and volleyball.
 
On Friday, the men's team got the gym off to a fine start. The Eagles led wire-to-wire and opened up a 34-20 halftime lead in front of 817 fans en route to their season-opening win, thanks in large part to the senior class. While Smith and Holliman took the scoring honors, two other seniors – Evan Brooks and Josiah Lee made their presence felt. Brooks sank a team-high three treys and Lee delivered five assists and created four steals.
 
Also for CSC, Roderick Butler, Justyn Anderson and Sharif Black each scored six points. Butler also added four rebounds and three assists.
 
As a team, Chadron State sank 25 of 57 from the field (44 percent) and made nine 3-pointers. The Eagles outrebounded the Saints, 42 to 40, and scored 23 points off 15 Presentation turnovers. The Saints did own an edge in free throw shooting, sinking nine of 14 from the stripe, compared to 12 of 24 for the Eagles.
 
The four leading scorers for Presentation, who shot 32 percent as a team, didn't start the game. Cameron Isreal hit five 3-pointers to finish with 18 points, Jeremy Comer added 13, Nick Gillett had 11 and Louis Cox scored nine points and dished out eight assists.
 
Devin Crear was the only starter to score for Presentation, finishing with three points.
 
Chadron State will host the University of Nebraska-Kearney Friday, Nov. 21. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.