LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Chadron State College fell to New Mexico Highlands University in a close Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference battle Friday evening in Las Vegas, 98-95.
 
The Cowboys came out swinging, building up a quick 15-3 lead within the first five minutes of the game. Chadron State battled back, and thanks to five quick points from Sharif Black and an and-one from Justyn Anderson tied the game for the first time at 41-41 with four minutes left in the first half.
 
After the break, the Cowboys pushed the lead to 10 within a couple of minutes. For the next 10 minutes, Chadron State's shooters got hot, going on a 28-9 run to lead by nine. Highlands fought hard to bring the game back to a tie and the teams went shot-for-shot to the buzzer.
 
In the closing minute of regulation, Jonathon Miles drove the lane and got fouled for a hard-earned three points and the lead, 93-92, with 40 seconds left. Thirteen seconds later, Ricky Norris stole the ball and threw down a dunk to build the lead to three. Freshman Roderick Butler launched a game tying 3-pointer with 20 seconds left, but with one second to play Miles hit a game-winning shot from beyond the arc.
 
The combination of Kendrick Nichols, Mines, and Norris shot 23 for 46 from the field and accounted for 72 of the team's 98 points. Nichols led the way with 30, while Miles had 27 and Norris, who had 10 rebounds for a double-double, scored 15.
 
Five Eagles scored in the double-digits, led by Christopher Smith. Smith, who shot six for eight from the field, had 17 points, while Butler and Kendrick Holliman, scored 16 each. Evan Brooks and Black only missed one shot from the field apiece, scoring 15 and 11 respectively.
 
Also for Chadron State, Josiah Lee had a game-high five assists, as well as four rebounds and two steals.
 
As a team, Chadron State shot 59 percent from the field and an outstanding 72 percent from beyond the arc. The team also had a free throw percentage of 79 percent.
 
The game ties the second-highest scoring game in coach Bargen's career. The only higher scoring game came in his first season in an overtime game at Highlands.