ALAMOSA, Colo. – December 30, 2017 – The Chadron State College men's basketball team led for nearly 70 percent of the game clock on Saturday in Alamosa, but Adams State University was just one play better, escaping with a 75-74 win in the last game of 2017 for both teams.

"I'm really proud of our guys' effort and their mindset going in tonight," said coach Houston Reed. "It's not easy going in with seven guys in back-to-back nights, and we gave them everything they wanted. As we build the brand of our program, we want it to be about toughness. Toughness isn't bravado. It's making plays under adverse situations. We showed that tonight, and it's something to be proud of."

Adams State made the game-winner on their last shot of the game, when the Grizzlies' junior guard Jarrett Givens dropped in his only two-pointer of the night with six second remaining.

The Eagles could not get one last attempt in the paint to fall, and ASU was credited with a block as time expired on what seemed like a probable win for the Eagles just a few minutes earlier.

"A lot of plays led up to the last shot," said Reed. "It wasn't just one play. We dribbled the ball out of bounds, we had empty possessions, and we missed free throws during their big runs."

Chadron State was in the driver's seat at 72-60 with 5:15 to play, after Eric Jamerman came through with a huge three-pointer.

Streaky guard Shane Johnson, who led the Grizzlies with 22 points on the night, got nine of those points in a span of 2:19, culminating in a 74-73 CSC lead at 1:19 to play. Givens' game winner then fell on ASU's final possession.

Seven of Johnson's other points came in a 1:16 spurt early in the second half, during a nine-point ASU run which tied the game at 42-42.

The big scorers for Chadron State, who again played only seven men, were Jaisean Jackson with 22, Jamerman, who finished with a career 18 points, and Jeremy Ruffin with 15.

CSC's Matt Reader collected a game-high 13 rebounds, of which nine came on the offensive end.

Team statistics were as evenly matched as the final score suggested. The Eagles fall to 3-11, and 1-7 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, while the Grizzlies get to .500 overall at 7-7 (5-3 RMAC).

The Eagles' second and third-leading scorers, Dru Kuxhausen and Michael Johnson, along with sophomore newcomer Jordan Mills, were ill and unable to play versus Fort Lewis and Adams State over the weekend. Emerging power forward Adoum Mbang was unavailable with academic responsibilities related to his early-season excused absence from school, and veteran sharpshooter Leigh Saffin, an international student from Australia, was unable to return from a trip home over the holidays in time for the trip southwest over the Rocky Mountains.

The Eagles return home for their first matchup in the Chicoine Center in over a month, hosting Colorado Mesa University and Western State Colorado University on January 5-6, 2018, at approximately 7:30 p.m. both nights.

Chadron State—Jaisean Jackson 22, Eric Jamerman 18, Jeremy Ruffin 15, Vonsinh Sayaloune 9, Walker Andrew 4, Matt Reader 4, Luke Fick 2. Totals: 26-67 (9-23) 13-21 74 points, 41 rebounds, 12 turnovers.

Adams State—Shane Johnson 22, Brandon Sly 12, Jarrett Givens 11, Frederick Jackson 10, Troyon Butler 6, Mike Thomas 6, Trace Dimeff 5, Szymon Walczak 2, Ethan Caton 1. Totals: 29-60 (6-22) 11-18 85 points, 41 rebounds, 12 turnovers.

Chadron State       37         37         ----74
Adams State          31         44         ----75

3-pointers: CSC—Jamerman 5, Sayaloune 3, Jackson 1. ASU—Givens 3, Dimeff 1, Johnson 1, Sly 1.