DENVER – The Chadron State College women's basketball team hit 49 percent of its field goal shots, made 15 of 17 free throws and came up with 11 steals and five blocked shots Saturday afternoon while winning its first game of the season, a 68-53 victory over the Regis Rangers in Denver.
The 68 points is the Eagles' season high, 11 more than their previous best. Three players scored in double figures for the first time in the team's 11 games.
Senior post McKenzi Petersen set the pace with 14 points while juniors Audrey Quintana and Dreanna Jackson each scored 12. Five more Eagles added between three and eight points.
There were five ties and five lead changes, all in the first half. The Eagles scored the final two field goals, one of them a three-pointer, in the second quarter to take a 28-24 halftime lead.
The third period was the difference-maker. Chadron State made nine of 14 field goal shots, two of them treys, and meshed all five of their free throw shots to outscore the Rangers 25-15 in the frame. That gave the visitors a 53-39 advantage going into the final quarter.
Although the Eagles turned the ball over six times in the fourth, they continued to shoot extra well, making three of four attempts from the field and nine of 10 free throws. Only twice in the last stanza did the Eagles' lead dip below double digits, and both times they were still on top by nine points.
The Rangers, who remain winless in 10 games, were led by 6-foot-1 junior Kate Gallery with 20 points. Senior Jessica Bollwahn added 12 and sophomore Caitlin Turnbow scored 11 points and claimed a game-high 11 rebounds.
However, CSC won the rebounding battle by a 36-29 margin. Petersen paced CSC's rebounding with seven.
Both Chadron State teams will be at home this coming weekend, hosting Adams State the evening of Thursday, Jan. 15 and New Mexico Highlands the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 17.
Chadron State—McKenzi Petersen 14, Audrey Quintana 12, Dreanna Jackson 12, Keziah Toran 8, Amya Winfrey 7, Evelyn Old Coyote 6, Ella Moser 6, Kenna Wagner 3. Totals: 24-49 FG, (5-15 3PT), 15-17 FT. 68 points, 36 rebounds, 13 assists, 21 turnovers.
Regis—Kate Gallery 20, Jessica Bollwahn 12, Caitlin Turnbow 11, Mary Crossland 8, Kaylin Venick 2. Totals: 18-59 FG, (5-24 3PT) 12-17 FT. 53 points, 39 rebounds, 10 assists, 19 turnovers.
