CHADRON, Neb. – After breaking a 2-2 tie, the West Texas A&M Buffaloes led the rest of the way while defeating the Chadron State College men's basketball team 98-76 in a non-conference game played in Canyon, Texas, on Friday, Nov 13.
It was the season-opener for the Eagles, while West Texas is now 3-0. The two teams will play again at noon (MT) on Saturday.
Isaiah Randolph recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Eagles to lead four CSC players in double figures. Chadron State shot 46.8 percent from the field and made 25 of 29 free throw attempts, but West Texas A&M was even better, shooting 53.7 percent from the floor.
Although the Buffaloes jumped out to a 12-4 lead in the first four minutes and were ahead 29-18 midway through the opening half, the Eagles put up a great fight for the next 10 minutes. Two free throws by Randolph cut the Texas team's lead to just two points at 37-35 with 3:50 left in the half. However, the Eagles were outscored 8-2 the remainder of the half, allowing West Texas to carry a 45-37 lead into intermission.
Both teams shot exactly 50 percent from the field in the first half. Chadron State was 10 of 20 and West Texas was 17 of 35 and had one more 3-pointer to its credit. The Eagles remained within striking distance because they had made 13 of 15 free throws and the home team was just six of nine from the line.
West Texas outscored the Eagles 53-39 in the second half and broke the game open down the stretch. The Buffaloes led by double digits for the final 14:41 of game time and opened up their largest lead of 25 points with 1:56 to go before the 22-point final margin of victory.
Nine players scored for each team, but six Buffaloes reached double figures, and four for the Eagles.
Chadron State's leading scorer was Randolph, a 6-foot-4 junior who did not start, but played the most minutes (27) and finished with 19 points while going 4 of 6 from the field and 11 of 12 from the free throw strip. Randolph's 11 rebounds were at least five more than any other member of either team.
Also scoring in double figures for CSC were Jovan Jovanovic with 14 and Mack Keighran and Zach Smith with 10 apiece. Jovanovic hit three of CSC's seven three-pointers.
West Texas was paced by 6-foot-2 guard Fontaine Williams with 21 points, who went a game-best 4-of-6 from 3-point range. He also was his team's top scorer in the Buffs' wins over Missouri Western and Pittsburg State two weeks ago.
Jailyn Sledge was second on the hosts' scoring list with 17 points, followed by Zach Brown with 15, James Parlow and Kemper Jones, both with 13, and Brendan Ballard with 10.
The Buffs shot 57.6 percent (19-33) and CSC 44.4 percent (12-27) from the field in the second half. West Texas was 12-33 for the game from 3-point range and the Eagles seven of 19. CSC finished 25-29 at the free throw line and the Buffs 14-20. West Texas had only five turnovers; the Eagles 12.
The two teams will rematch on Saturday before Chadron State returns home to face the University of Mary in CSC's home opener next Wednesday.
Chadron State—Isaiah Randolph 19, Jovan Jovanovich 14, Mack Keighran10, Zach Smith 10, Jadon Cool 9, Luka Djurovic 5, Blessing Adesipe 4, Ethan Russell 3, Collin Nick 2. Totals: 22-47 FG (7-19 3PT) 25-29 FT. 76 points, 29 rebounds, 12 turnovers.
West Texas A&M—Fontaine Williams, 21, Jailyn Sledge 17, Zach Brown 15, James Parlow 13, Kemper Jones 13, Brendan Ballard 10, Brock Mishak 4, Jaden Holt 3, Nicholas Jett 2. Totals: 36-67 FG (12-33 3PT) 14-20 FT. 98 points, 34 rebounds, 5 turnovers.
Chadron State 37 39 ---76
West Texas A&M 45 53 ---98
3-pointers: CSC—Jovanovich 3, Keighran, Cool, Djurovic, Russell, all 1. WTAM—Williams 4, Jones 3, Brown 3, Sledge 2.
