CHADRON, Neb. -- February 5, 2022 -- In one of the most competitive games of the season, the Chadron State College women's basketball team (7-12, 6-8 RMAC) prevailed 63-61 against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference rival Adams State (9-12, 7-9 RMAC) off a buzzer-beater by Ashayla Powers, who balled out for the Eagles Saturday night.
In a game that featured 14 lead changes and 18 ties scores between both teams, Powers—a 5-foot-10 freshman—scored a career-high 27 points during the game. She also had season highs in free throw attempts (11) and rebounds (13).
Elaina Watson of the Grizzlies struck first with a layup at 9:22. Powers answered back with a layup of her own 20 seconds later. Sophomore forward Riley Aiono contributed five points and three rebounds in the first quarter to help the Eagles find their footing. The score was 18-15 Grizzlies heading into the second quarter.
The second quarter of play featured three of the four total three-pointers of the game. The first was by ASU's Stephanie Ruiz at 8:29 to make it 21-19 Grizzlies. The next three-pointer was by Bailey Brooks, whose three-pointer at 6:10 pushed the Eagles to a 26-23 lead. Tying up the score at 28 with 5:04 on the clock was Watson, who landed the third and final three of the quarter.
The Eagles and Grizzlies continued trading blows until the score was 34-33 ASU at the end of the half.
In one of the best defensive performances in a quarter this season, the Eagles held the Grizzlies to only six points while putting up 13 points of their own in the third quarter. It wasn't until 2:23 that the Grizzlies were able to make their first field goal of the second half. The Eagles led 46-40 to conclude the third quarter.
The fourth quarter of the game was a roller coaster. Both teams fought until the score was 59-52 Eagles after a layup by Micheala Dammann at 1:32. The Grizzlies began to claw their way back after scoring six unanswered points off a jump shot and four free throws to make it 59-58.
After feeling the heat from ASU, Powers netted an unassisted layup to give the Eagles a three-point lead with 14 seconds on the clock. ASU's Ruiz swished a three-pointer at the top of the key to tie the score 61-61. Chadron State immediately called timeout with 3.3 seconds remaining.
After the timeout, Samiyah Worrell passed the ball inbounds to teammate Olivia Waufle. With less than one second on the clock, Waufle dumped it off to Powers in the paint for the go-ahead layup as time expired, giving the Eagles a thrilling 63-61 win.
"Adams is a very physical, fast-paced team," said Head Women's Basketball Coach Janet Raymer. "I'm proud of the girls for staying composed and pulling through for the win in the end."
The Eagles' next game is at home tomorrow, Feb. 6, against CSU-Pueblo (17-5, 13-3 RMAC), which was rescheduled from Friday, Feb. 4.
Chadron State—Ashayla Powers 27, Riley Aiono 8, Bailey Brooks 6, Jori Peters 6, Olivia Waufle 6, Samiyah Worrell 4, Micheala Dammann 2, Olyvia Pacheco 2, Tatum Peterson 2. FG/3PT/FT: 22-52/1-9/18-25, 63 points, 41 rebounds, 13 assists, 17 turnovers.
Adams State— Elaina Watson 12, Demi Black 11, Kayla Harris 9, Laura Gutierrez 7, Stephanie Ruiz 6, Riahana Davis 4, Celina Watson 4, Nicole Brown 4, Angelline Nageak 2, Kaitlyn Bell 2. FG/3PT/FT: 22-59/3-23/14-17, 61 points, 30 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 turnovers.
Chadron State 15 18 13 17 --63
Adams State 18 16 6 21 --61
3-pointers: CSC—Brooks 1. ASU—Ruiz 2, Watson 1.
