CHADRON, Neb. -- February 5, 2016 -- The short-handed Chadron State College women's basketball gave a gallant effort Friday night, but fell to Colorado Christian 85-77 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action in Chadron.

The Eagles were missing their top outside shooter, Emma Block, because of a sprained ankle and lost another of their senior leaders, Stephanie Knowles, with a foot injury in the second quarter.  Still, they trailed by just 33-29 at halftime and were behind by only 76-73 with 2:37 to play before the Cougars closed out game with a 9-2 run.

Both teams put four players in double figures.

Kate Louthan, a 5-foot 11 senior, scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds to go with five assists, four blocked shots and four steals to lead Colorado Christian.   Claire Paxton, a 6-1 junior, added 18 points and came up with seven rebounds for the Cougars.
 
The pair scored 32 of their 42 points in the second half.
 
In addition, sophomore Alex Nelson added 15 points and freshman Chandler Sturms 11 for the Cougars, now 15-5 for the season and 12-4 in the conference. The visitors, who hit 32 of 60 field goal shots outscored the Eagles in each quarter, but never by more than three points.
  
Chadron State, which shot 40 percent from the field, got 14 points and six assists from sophomore point guard Kayla Mathews, 12 points from both senior Allegra Chisom and sophomore Maka Daysh and 10 from junior Erin Graham.
 
Daysh also collected 11 rebounds, giving her eight double-doubles for the season. The Eagles are now 7-13 overall and 7-9 in the RMAC.  Saturday night they'll host Colorado Mines, which began the week atop the RMAC standings, but was upset 65-61 by Regis on Friday night and is now 15-5 overall and 13-3 in the conference.  Tipoff will be at 5:30.
                 
                Colorado Christian       13        20       28       24      ----85
                Chadron State              11        18        27       21      ----77

Colorado Christian—Kate Louthan 24, Claire Paxton 18, Alex Nelson 15, Chandler Sturms 11, Ali Meyer 8, Leisha Crawford 5, Kaitlyn Hich 4. Totals: 32-60 (5-11) 16-26 85 points, 41 rebounds 16 turnovers.
Chadron State—Kayla Mathews 14, Allegria Chisom 12, Maka Daysh 12, Erin Graham 10, Stephanie Knowles 9, Keeley Pearce 9, Maddie Metzger 6, Havannah Newens 5. Totals: 26-65 (7-19) 18-29 77 points, 37 rebounds, 15 turnovers.