CHADRON, Neb. -- December 6, 2019 -- Brian Rodriguez and Jacob Jefferson combined for 42 points and 17 rebounds Friday night while leading the Chadron State Eagles to a 79-60 victory over Colorado Christian in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener for both teams in the Chicoine Center.

Rodriguez, a 6-foot-4 senior, poured in 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Jefferson, a 6-7 sophomore, scored 16 points and collected nine rebounds.  The pair tallied Chadron State's first 26 points.  A three-pointer and two free throws by point guard Colby Jackson in the final minute helped the Eagles own a 37-29 halftime lead.

Chadron State continually widened the difference in the second half, going ahead by as many as 22 points with nine minutes remaining and never letting the margin shrink to fewer than 16 points the rest of the way.

The Eagles didn't shoot "lights out," making a modest 38.5 percent from the field, but they sank 10 treys compared to the Cougars' four, and out-rebounded the visitors by a 50-31 margin. 

CSC claimed 22 offensive rebounds and converted them into 21 points. Jefferson said Coach Houston Reed emphasized the importance of offensive rebounds this week in practice, noting that a big man's highest percentage shot is a second shot.

Reed noted that the Eagles' defense late in the first half was a big factor in the outcome. The Cougars led 24-15 with 7:36 left in the opening half, but scored just five more points prior to intermission.   

Reed also was pleased that his team committed just 12 turnovers after averaging 22 through its first six games.

Jackson finished with 10 points to go with seven assists. Forward Kenan Gray also scored 10 points for the Eagles, all in the second half after starting the game but drawing two fouls in the opening 1:37 and not playing again in the first half.

Jake Hornick, a 6-1 guard, led the Cougars with 18 points, followed by center Spencer Hoffman with 14 points and Justin Engesser with 12.

The Eagles are now 2-5 and Christian falls to 0-7. Chadron State will host another Denver team, Regis, tonight (Saturday). The Rangers are 6-1 after edging Metro State-Denver 66-65 Friday night on two free throws by Brian Dawson with 13 seconds remaining.      

                Colorado Christian--Jack Hornick 18, Spencer Hoffman 14, Justin Engesser 12, Elijah Oliver 6, Collin Huun 4, Christian Hyatt 4, Adrian Cantwell 2. Totals: 21-55 (4-19) 14-24 60 points, 31 rebounds, 15 turnovers.
                Chadron State--Brian Rodriguez 26, Jacob Jefferson 16, Colby Jackson 10, Kenan Gray 10, Stephon Bell 7, Brady Delimont 5, Dominic Coleman 3, Andre Sepeda 2. Totals: 25-65, (10-30) 19-24. 79 points, 50 rebound, 12 turnovers.
                Colorado Christian       29        31       ----60
                Chadron State               37        42       ----79
                3-pointers:  CCU--Hornick 2, Engesser 1, Oliver 1.  CSC--Rodriguez 4, Jackson 2, Jackson 1, Delimont 1, Bell 1, Coleman 1.