CHADRON, Neb. - The Chadron State College basketball team had a cold night shooting while falling 84-57 to the University of Sioux Falls on Friday in the first round of the classic the Cougars are hosting this weekend.
 
The Eagles shot just 36% (22-61) from the field, including only 22.7 (5-22) from 3-point range, and 53.3% (8-15) at the free throw line.

Sioux Falls didn't do much better in the first half and led by just 32-26 at halftime, but warmed up in the second half and outscored Chadron State 52-31 in the final 20 minutes.

The win was first of the season in three starts for the Cougars while the Eagles, who were coming off a thrilling 83-82 victory over the Mary Marauders at home on Wednesday afternoon, are 1-3 for the young season.

The Cougars shot just 35.5% (12-34) from the field in the opening half, when they  made only 3-of-18 shots from behind the arc, and were 5-of-9 at the free throw line.  But in the second half, Sioux Falls shot 17 of 34 from the field for 50%, including 5-of-13 on 3-pointers, and made 13 of 14 free throws. 

The Cougars' 53-to-34 rebounding advantage led to their 42-to-26 bulge in second-chance points. They also scored 18 points off turnovers while CSC had 10. 

The Eagles' scoring leaders were two of their international players.  Mack Keighran, a Australian, finished with 17 points, and Luka Djurovic, from Montenegro in eastern Europe, scored 12 points and was the game's leading rebounder with nine.

Both shot 50% from the field with Keighran going 7 of 14 and Djurovic 5 of 10. 

Four Cougars scored in double figures.  Brandon Hrncir, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, led with 17 points while guard Taylen Ashley had 15, Kyle Ingwerson 14 and Jacoby Meehrman 10.

Ingwerson hit four 3-pointers for half of the Sioux Falls total and Ashley added three. 

The Eagles will meet Minnesota State from Mankato at 7 p.m. (CT) Saturday in the second round of the Sioux Falls Classic.   The Mavericks are 4-2 for the season after losing to Grand Valley State of Michigan 76-55 on Friday.

Chadron State—Mack Keighran 17, Luka Durovic 12, Ethan Russell 9, Jadon Cool 7, Isaiah Randolph 5, Blessing Adesipe 2, Nick Collin 2, Jovan Jovanovic 2, Zach Smith 1. Totals: 22-621 (5-22 3pt.) 8-15 57 points, 34 rebounds, 9 assists, 16 turnovers.

Sioux Falls—Bradon Hrncir 17. Taylen Ashley 15, Kyle Ingwerson 14, Jacoby Mehrman 10, Bogan Madson 8, Byron Laue 8, Lewis Woosnam 4, Alex Mattes 4, Marshall Smythe 2, Lewis Malcolm 2. Totals: 29-68 (8-13 3pt.) 18-23 84 points, 53 rebounds, 20 assists, 13 turnovers.