CHADRON, Neb. -- December 11, 2015 -- Three Eagle players scored in double figures tonight, and staunch defense held four of five Yellow Jacket starters under their season averages, as Chadron State College men's basketball withstood a late surge to topple Black Hills State University 74-59 in Chicoine Center.
The Eagles never trailed in the game, going wire-to-wire over the visitors with the only tie in the game being 2-2.
CSC shot a solid 46.8% from the field and hit 17-of-21 free throws in the second half to preserve the 15-point win, after leading by as much as 27 in the second half.
Chadron State, who is leading their opponents by an average of more than seven rebounds per game, held a 42-to-27 advantage over BHSU on the boards tonight, nearly doubling their opponents up (20 to 12) in the second half.
"A good week of practice led to a good game," said head coach
Brent Bargen. "Our identity has to be good defense, and we did an outstanding job on defense in the first half. I'm happy for the win."
Junior guard
Warren Gordon, recovering from an ailment that kept him out last Saturday, was a perfect 3-of-3 on three-point attempts to lead the team with 15 points.
Sharif Black, coming back from an illness, added 14 points off the bench and came just shy of a double-double with nine rebounds.
Sophomore
Matt Reader, who coach Bargen said gained confidence this year from his freshman football season, pitched in 12 points and seven boards, with four coming on the offensive glass. He was a perfect 4-for-4 at the free-throw line.
Guard
Billy Johnson, coming off a 23-point performance against Regis, shelled out four assists, scoring nine, and grabbed six rebounds.
Forward Davante McCallum put up nine points and grabbed seven caroms.
The Eagles play again Saturday night, hosting South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, in what is dubbed "Silent Night" by The Nest marketing club.
Fans are encouraged to participate during the men's game by remaining silent from tip-off until the Eagles score their 10th point in the game. Once the 10th point is scored, fans are asked to break the silence by cheering loudly.
SDSMT suffered a 110-72 defeat tonight at the hands of Regis University, whom Chadron State defeated last weekend.
