CHADRON, Neb. – Led by senior center McKenzi Petersen, the Chadron State College women's basketball team trailed by just six at halftime but couldn't generate enough offense in the second half to stay in contention and dropped a 71-52 decision to MSU Denver on Thursday evening. 

Petersen was both the game's leading scorer with 18 points and leading rebounder with nine. Her presence was particularly noticeable late in the opening half when she took the ball to the basket three times in the final 2 minutes and 20 seconds to help cut in half what had been a 12-point deficit. 

A native of Winnemucca, Nevada, Petersen also scored Chadron State's opening two field goals in the third period, the first a layup off a pass from Evelyn Old Coyote and the second on a putback after Petersen had grabbed an offensive rebound.  

Midway in the third frame, she also scored on a fast break that reduced the Roadrunners' lead to just five points—43-38. But soon afterwards, she was called for her fourth foul, which forced her to the bench after scoring six of her team's 10 points in the frame while Metro State had widened its lead to 52-40 going into the final period. Petersen would eventually foul out midway through the fourth quarter.

While Petersen shot nine of 15 from the field while scoring her 18 points and Audrey Quintana had 11 points on four field goals, three of them three-pointers, none of the other Eagles had more then two baskets or more than seven points.

The Eagles were 20 of 68 from the field for 29.4 percent. The Roadrunners were 28 of 55 on its field goal shots for 50.9 percent. Each team made six three-pointers, but CSC took 30 shots from behind the arc while the visitors needed just 18.
                
For the Roadrunners, junior Jadyn Watts was 5 of 7 from the field to go with three free throws for 13 points, senior Mikylah Espinosa was 6 of 10 for 12 points and senior Brianna Sealy was 4 of 5 and added two charity shots for 10 points.

Another factor for MSU Denver was 6-foot-3 sophomore Keira Mitchell, who made all three of her field goal shots and both of her free throws for eight points and also was the visitors' leading rebounder with eight. She also blocked a pair of CSC shots. 

The Roadrunners are now 11-13 for the season and 9-6 in the RMAC. The CSC women have still won just one game this season. They'll tip off the double-header versus Colorado School of Mines at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Chicoine Center. 

                MSU Denver—Jaydn Watts 13, Mikylah Espinosa 12, Brianna Sealy 10, Brooklynn Jones 9. Keira Mitchell 8, Nevaeh Millard 8, Madison Johnson 6, Sarah Nocke 5. Totals: 28-55 FG, 6-18 3PT) 9-17 FT, 71 points, 45 rebounds, 14 assists, 7 turnovers.
                Chadron State—McKenzi Petersen 18, Audrey Quintana 11, Ella Moser 7, Dreanna Jackson 5, Keziah Toran 4, Alex Ridenour 3, Teryn Stokes 2, Kenna Wagner 2. Totals: 20-68 FG (6-30 3PT) 6-9 FT, 52 points, 37 rebounds, 14 assists, 11 turnovers.