CHADRON, Neb. -- January 3, 2016 -- The Chadron State Eagle women played toe-to-toe with the ThunderWolves of Colorado State University-Pueblo Sunday afternoon, but could not hold on down the stretch, as fouls mounted and their numbers dwindled. The Pueblo women leave with a 71-60 win, moving them to 11-2 (6-1 RMAC), while the CSC women fall to 3-8 (3-4 RMAC).

Three ThunderWolves scored in double figures. Dee Arrieta had 16 points, Molly Rohrer finished with 15, and Tuileisu Anderson added 14.

The Eagles led for most of the first two periods, and even went into the halftime break with a 35-34 lead. They were still very much in the game at the close of the third, when they trailed by only two. However, foul trouble marred their pace in the pivotal fourth quarter, when they were held to nine points. Team leader Stephanie Knowles picked up her fourth and fifth whistles in rapid succession at the start of the quarter, exiting on a charging call. Sophomore Maka Daysh committed three within a span of 2:16, leaving the game with 2:20 remaining, and the remaining senior, Emma Block, followed at 1:42 on the clock.

A three-point play by Keeley Pearce drew the score to 66-60 with over a minute to play, however that was the last score the Eagles would see as the visitors sank seven of eight free throws in the clutch minutes of the game.

Despite her early exit, Knowles provided defensive highlights with four blocks and two steals for the day. She was also good for six points and a pair of rebounds.

Block led the Eagles with 13 points on 3-of-6 first half shooting from the arc. Junior Erin Graham came one rebound shy of a double double with 10 points, nine boards. Daysh also brushed with one, nabbing 10 rebounds and putting up seven points.

The CSC women limited themselves to 14 turnovers in the game, however the disciplined ThunderWolves committed only six and led points off turnovers, 14 to 7. CSU-Pueblo also won the rebounding battle, 49 to 42.

Chadron State limited their opponents to shooting 35.9% from the field, however their own shooting woes in the second half cost them dearly. They hit 8 of 32 from the field in the third and fourth periods, including an 0-for-8 three point showing.

CSC has four games away from home in front of them, beginning with South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on Friday night at 5:30 p.m., at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. They will attempt to avenge their earlier home loss to South Dakota Mines, and also to Black Hills State University, where they play on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Spearfish, South Dakota.