CHADRON, Neb. -- For the second game in a row, the Chadron State College men's basketball team trailed by a wide margin at halftime, gallantly fought its way back into contention, but could not quite "close the deal" while sustaining a heart-breaking loss on its home court again Saturday night.  
             
After finally catching up and hitting a 3-pointer to tie the score at 78-78 and send the game into overtime, but still lose 90-82 to New Mexico Highlands on Friday night, the scenario was much the same in the second game.  

The Eagles battled tooth and nail and got within three points with 19 seconds remaining, but came out on the short end of the 80-75 score versus Colorado State-Pueblo on Saturday night.
             
The outcome gives both teams 11-13 season records. Chadron State is now 8-10 in the Rocky Mountain Conference standings, one game ahead of the ThunderWolves in the playoff picture.
             
Pueblo's led by just 24-23 with six minutes remaining in the opening half when it outscored the Eagles 19-5 to build its 43-28 intermission advantage, which proved to be insurmountable.
             
The ThunderWolves shot 54.5% (18-33) from the field and the Eagles just 37.7% (11-29) in the opening 20 minutes.  The visitors also had two 3-pointers and CSC one.  Each had made five free shots.
             
In the second half when Chadron State outscored Pueblo 47-37, the Eagles made 59.4% (19-32) of its field goal shots, and the Wolves 41.7% (10-24). CSC also made one more trey, (3-2), but was outscored 15-6 at the charity stripe. 
             
Overall, both teams shot almost exactly 49% from the field and each made four treys.
             
Each team had three players combine to score 52 points. For Chadron State, Bryce Latimer tallied 24, Jalen Patterson 16 and Josh Robinson 12. For Pueblo, Armon Muldrew scored 24, Corbin Garber 16 and Makiah Morris 12. 
             
The Eagles edged the ThunderWolves 84-82 on Latimer's layup with three second left when the team played in Pueblo on Dec. 1 while opening the conference schedule.
             
Chadron State will be at home again this coming weekend to host Metro State and Colorado Mines.

CSU-Pueblo—Armon Muldrew 24, Corbin Garver 16, Makiah Morris 12, De'Shaun Cooper 9, Brevin Walter 9, Isaiah Morris 5, Ty Adam 5. Totals: 28-57 (4-15) 20-27 80 points, 40 rebounds, 12 turnovers, 11 assists.
             
Chadron State—Bryce Latimer 24, Jalen Patterson 16, Josh Robinson 12, John Jenkins 9, Julio Phipps 7, Martin Poznanovic 4, Raul Nunez 3. Totals: 30-61 (4-15) 11-17 75 points, 27 rebounds, 6 turnovers, 7 assists. 
             
CSU-Pueblo           43          37         ---80 
             
Chadron State      28          47         ---75
              3-pointers: CSU-P—Muldrew, Morris, Garver, Adam, all 1.  CSC---Jenkens 2, Nunez 1, Patterson 1.