CHADRON, Neb. -- November 12, 2021 -- Texas A&M International used the free throw line to good advantage while defeating Chadron State 82-73 in the season-opener for both teams Friday night in a "conference crossover" men's basketball game matching teams from the Rocky Mountain Athletic and Lone Star Conferences in the Chicoine Center.

The Eagles outscored their guests 61 to 56 from the field, but the Dustdevils made 26 of 33 free shots while Chadron State was 11 of 16 at the line.  Ironically, the Eagles were called for just two more fouls (21-19) than International, but the Dustdevils drew numerous fouls while going to the basket and getting two-shot opportunities.

Although Chadron State opened the scoring on a three-pointer by senior Brady Delimont, the Devils tallied the next 11 points. The Eagles regained the lead at 19-17 on a trey by the game's leading scorer, CJ Jennings, with 8:31 left in the first half.

The Eagles went ahead by as many as six points, but failed to score the final 4:55 of the half, allowing the visitors to hold a 37-31 intermission advantage.  Chadron State's only lead of the second half was at 41-40 on another trey by Jennings. 

International was ahead by as many as 15 points—70-55—with 3:28 to play.  The Eagles slapped on a full court press to help score the next 10 points and cut the difference to five.

But the Devils' Journee Phillips, who finished with 10 points, made seven of them in about a minute to clinch the outcome by taking the ball to the basket for two layups and also making three of four free throws after fouls were whistled against the Eagles while he was shooting.

Guard Jermaine Drewey led the Dustdevils with 21 points that included five of six shooting from behind the arc.  Tyrese Davis, a 6-foot-9 sophomore, was five of six from the field and 7 of 11 at the line for 17 points, followed by Phillips and Greg Bowie with 10 apiece.

Jennings poured in 22 points for the Eagles by going 9 of 13 from the field, including four of eight on three-pointers. Teddy Parham Jr., CSC's leading scorer last year, added 14 points and collected a game-high six rebounds. Alliance native Mason Heimstra was next with 11 points. 

The Eagles' starting point guard, Marcus Jefferson, handed out a game-high eight assists.

Except at the free throw line, many of the stats were similar. International was 25 of 47 overall from the field and the Eagles were 26 of 54, including nine of 17 from 3-point range.  The Devils were six of 16 from afar.

Each team grabbed 28 rebounds and had 15 assists. The Eagles had 14 turnovers, two more than the visitors and scored 32 points in the paint, also two more than the Texas team.

Chadron State will host Texas A&M-Kingsville at 7 tonight (Saturday) in another crossover contest.  South Dakota Mines jumped out to a 49-29 halftime lead and defeated the Javelinas 84-72 Friday night in Rapid City.

                Texas A&M International—Jermaine Drewey 21, Tyrese Davis 17, Greg Bowie II 10, Jounee Phillips 10, La-Quiem Walker 9, Daniel Qiely 9, Tiras Morton 2, Ja'Hierm Handy 2, Tre Thomas 2.  Totals: 25-47 (6-16) 26-33, 28 rebounds, 82 points.
                Chadron State—CJ Jennings 22, Teddy Parham 14, Mason Hermstra 11, Porter Anderson 8, Kymani Dunham 6, Marcus Jefferson 5, Brady Delimont 3, Taj-Maal Toney 2, KJ Harris 2. Totals: 26-55 (9-17) 11-18 28 rebounds, 72 points.

                Texas A&M Inter.       37         45          ---82
                Chadron State           31         42          ---73
                3-pointers: Tex A&M Inter—Drewey 5-6, Keily 1-2, Walker, Phillips, Scott, Morton, Handy, Thomas, all 0-1.  CSC—Jennings 4-8, Parham 2-3, Heimstra 1-1, M. Jefferson 1-2, Delimont 1-2, Toney 0-1.