CHADRON – Chadron State College women's basketball upset Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference leader, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, 72-70 Saturday at the Chicoine Center.
 
With the win, the Eagles (4-13, 4-9 RMAC) handed the Mountain Lions (16-3, 11-2 RMAC) just their second conference loss and snapped the team's eight-game winning streak.
 
Chadron State and Colorado Springs came out swinging, trading baskets through the first 10 minutes. Following the break, UCCS took its one point lead, 21-20, and drained shot after shot, going on a 24-15 run to end the first half up 45-35.
 
After halftime, the Mountain Lions extended their lead by as many as a dozen and took a comfortable 55-46 lead with 11 minutes remaining. The Eagles didn't quit, though, and went on an 18-8 scoring run. With just a little over two minutes remaining, CSC took its first lead at 64-63.
 
The teams continued to trade shots, and with 42 seconds left UCCS' Abby Kirchoff sank a shot to take a one point lead. On the ensuing drive Kirchoff fouled Chadron State's Kayla Mathews, who sank her second free throw to tie the game with 37 seconds remaining. UCCS took the ball down the court, looking for a last second game-winning shot for Kirchoff, when Stephanie Knowles jumped a pass and drove down the court looking to seal the win. Kirchoff made a crucial block that rolled out of bounds. Following the inbounds pass, senior Kate Simonton drove the lane and split two defenders while sinking a jumper to give the Eagles a 72-70 lead with 1.4 seconds left.
 
With 1.4 seocnds on the clock, UCCS' Jessika Kienitz threw a pass down the court that landed in Chadron State's Hattie Guzman's hands for the win.
 
Knowles scored a career-high 25 points on 12 of 17 shooting from the field. Simonton shot four of six from the field, as well as seven of nine from the line, totaling 15 points including the game-winning shot. Mathews and Allegria Chisom both added nine points.
 
Defensively, the Eagles made their run behind holding the Mountain Lions to 27 percent shooting in the second half. Ruby Luders had a career-high nine rebounds while Knowles had three steals.
 
For UCCS, Kirchoff shot 10-21 from the field for 24 points. RMAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week Brittany Hernandez was limited to 12 points. Kenzi Mitchell was a perfect 4-4 shooting for nine points, while Sam Patterson tore down seven boards.
 
A tale of two halves, the Eagles matched the Mountain Lions shooting 61 percent in the first half, but outshot the team 41 percent to 27 in the second half. Despite recording a season-low six 3-point attempts for the game, the Eagles dominated the paint, outscoring their opponent 38-20 down low.
 
Chadron State College host the two Denver teams, Metro State and Regis University, Jan 30 and 31.