CHADRON, Neb. — December 5, 2015 — Junior Billy Johnson scored 23 points, 17 of them in the second half, as Chadron State College hung on for a 70-67 win over Regis in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener for both teams Saturday night in Chadron.

The Eagles finished with 14 of 31 shooting from three-point range, while Regis was nine of 20.

Chadron State led 33-31 at halftime and built the margin to 13 points midway in the second half after hitting five treys in a four-minute span.  However, Regis rallied to tie the score at 65-65 on an old-fashioned three-point play by Ryan Beisty with 2:17 to play.

The Eagles regained the lead just 11 seconds later on a three-pointer by Johnson from the top of the key. After the Rangers' leading scorer, Dexter Sienko, hit a short jumper, Chadron State closed out the scoring on center Davante McCallam's layup.

McCallam also blocked a shot that helped the Eagles run down clock and improve their season record to 3-2.

Chadron State was 14 of 31 from behind the arc and Regis was nine of 20. 

Johnson was nine of 19 from the field and made all five of his three-pointers in the second half to lead all scorers.  CSC redshirt freshman Leigh Saffin was four of eight from behind the arc for 12 points.

The Eagles were without two of their primary guards, Warren Gordon, who suffered a rib injury in practice on Friday, and Sharif Black, who had the flu. Much of the slack was taken up by Andre Miller, who was three of five from three-point range for nine points, and had four assists and just two turnovers while assuming most of the point guard duties.

Sienko made eight of 10 field goal tries, most of them soft hook shots, for 18 points while Beisty and Noah King each scored 10, for Regis, now 2-5 for the season.

                Regis                       31         36        ----67
                Chadron State       33         37        ----70

Regis—Dexter Sienko 18, Noah King 10, Ryan Beisty 10, Jarrett Brodbeck 9, Dylan King 8, Billy Hansen 5, Elijah Sanders 4, Roberto Reyes 3.  Totals: 24-50 (9-20) 10-16 67 points, 27 rebounds, 13 turnovers.

Chadron State—Billy Johnson 23, Leigh Saffin 12, Andre Miller 9, Davante McCallam 7, Myles Robinson 5, Jay Feltson 5, Jordan Perry 5, Matt Reader 2, Justyn Anderson 2. Totals: 26-56 (14-31) 4-8 70 points, 31 rebounds, 10 turnovers.