ALAMOSA, Colo. -- January 3, 2020 -- The Chadron State College men's basketball team led for 27 ½ minutes, compared to just 7 ½ minutes by Adams State, but the host Grizzlies dealt the Eagles another heart-breaking loss, 81-78, in Alamosa, Colo., on Friday night.

It was the Eagles' third loss by three points this season and they've also lost by one point and in overtime.  They are 2-10 overall and 1-5 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

"Any time you look at a box score," said CSC Head Men's Basketball Coach Houston Reed, "and you see you out-rebounded your opponent by 15, you expect to be in the win column. Here on the road, you have to be able to be put down shots. We just need to knock down one or two more of those open shots. This is the second consecutive game we've lost, on the road, where we ended up with more field goal attempts than our opponent. Once you get to the point you're getting more shots than your opponent, it just comes down to making field goals."

The game was nip-and-tuck all the way.  There were nine lead changes in the first half before the Eagles led 31-28 at halftime. Chadron State owned the game's biggest lead of 51-43 with 14:39 to play.

The Grizzlies took their first lead in nearly 12 minutes at 69-68 when Logan Longo hit a 3-pointer with 4:21 remaining and never trailed again.

Chadron State point guard Colby Jackson sank his fifth trey of the game with 11 seconds to go to cut the Adams State lead to 79-77.  The Eagles called time out and forced the Grizzlies to use two timeouts while trying to get the ball in play.

On the third attempt, Chadron State's Dom Coleman stole the inbounds pass and was immediately fouled. He made the first free throw, but missed the second. Longo grabbed the rebound, was fouled and sank both free shots with eight seconds remaining.

After a timeout, the Eagles got the ball to center Jacob Jefferson for a 3-point attempt that would have tied the score, but it missed.

Adams State, now 4-8 overall and 2-4 in the conference, put four players in double figures. Szymon Walczak had 17 points, both Rickey Norris and Rylan O'Brien 16 and Juwan Green 13.

Brian Rodriguez led the Eagles with 18 points and Jackson had 17.  Walker Andrew added nine points and was the game's leading rebounder with 10.

Both teams shot right at 40 percent from the field.  The Eagles were 26 of 65, including nine of 24 from long range. Adams State was 25 of 61, including four of 10 on threes.  The Grizzlies were 27 of 36 at the free throw line while Chadron State was 17 of 25.

Chadron State outrebounded the hosts 40 to 25, but had 19 turnovers and the Grizzlies' 11.

Saturday night, the Eagles will play at Fort Lewis, which defeated Metro State Denver 78-65, Friday night.

Chadron State--Brian Rodriguez 18, Colby Jackson 17, Walker Andrew 9, Kenan Gray 8, Michael Sparks 7, Kevin DiMarco 7, Jacob Jefferson 5, Dominic Coleman 5, Andre Sepeda 2. Totals: 26-65 (9-24) 17-25 78 points, 40 rebounds, 19 turnovers.
Adams State--Szymon Walczak 17, Rickey Norris 16, Rylan O'Brien 16, Juwan Green 13, Logan Longo 8, Kaelin Crane 8, Nana Appiah 2, Cole Arceneaux 1. Totals: 25-61 (4-10) 27-36 81 points, 25 rebounds, 11 turnovers. 

Chadron State           31             47         ----78
Adams State               28            53         ----81

3-pointers:  CSC--Jackson 5, Rodriguez 2, Jefferson 1, Sparks 1.  ASU--O'Brien 3, Longo 1.