PUEBLO, Colo. – CSU Pueblo used a scoring run at the end of the first half to stay a little out in front of Chadron State for the last half hour and defeat CSC men's basketball 74-65 on Saturday afternoon in Pueblo.

The Eagles (5-17, 3-11 RMAC) did lots of things well – they shot 40.4 percent from the field, including 51.8 percent in the second half, made 12 of 32 threes and set a new team season-high with 18 assists. 

Three Eagles scored in double figures – Mack Keighran scored 15, Zach Smith added 13 for his second straight game in double figures and Blessing Adesipe tallied his second double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. In addition to his scoring, Smith also added a season-high six assists, one off his career-high from last season.

Chadron State kept it within nine points despite getting surprisingly little from their two leading scorers. Isaiah Randolph and Jadon Cool, who entered averaging 14 points per game apiece, could only score five and three points, respectively, and went a combined 2-for-12 from the floor.

CSU Pueblo (15-7, 9-5 RMAC) had a slight edge in most statistical categories. The ThunderWolves shot 41.3 percent from the field compared to CSC's 40.4 percent, outpaced CSC at the free throw line 75 percent to 70 percent and outrebounded the Eagles 40-34. The home team also had 19 assists, one more than CSC's total, while also racking up seven blocks. 

Chadron State took an early 4-0 lead after Isaiah Randolph opened the game by making a technical foul free throw and Adesipe forced a steal on Pueblo's opening possession before hitting a three. Adesipe, an Angelo State transfer, scored all 12 of his points from behind the arc, shooting 4-for-7 from deep overall.

Pueblo responded to take an 8-6 lead, but Keighran hit a jumper then converted two free throws to put the Eagles back on top 10-8 with 13 minutes to play in the first half. A minute later, Sam Howery hit a three to put the ThunderWolves back in front, and they would lead for the rest of the game. 

The ThunderWolves did a lot of damage in the final eight minutes. Pueblo led by just two points at 19-17, but a 6-0 run over 90 seconds and a later 7-3 run over the final four minutes of the half put the hosts up by seven at the break.

That was essentially the margin of victory, as Pueblo outscored Chadron State 42-40 in the second half as both teams shot the ball well. The ThunderWolves made 16 of 33 second-half field goals for 48.5 percent while the Eagles were above 50 percent, making 14 of 27 and 8 of 16 second-half three-pointers.

Jovan Jovanovic went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc for Chadron State, his first points since December 11, and was CSC's fourth-leading scorer with nine points.

Chadron State will return home to host MSU Denver (7-15, 5-9 RMAC) and Colorado School of Mines (13-12, 9-5 RMAC) on Thursday and Saturday.

​Chadron State—Mack Keighran 15, Zach Smith 13, Blessing Adesipe 12, Jovan Jovanovic 9, Luka Djurovic 8, Isaiah Randolph 5, Jadon Cool 3. Totals: 23-57 FG (12-32 3PT) 7-10 FT. 65 points, 34 rebounds, 18 assists, 14 turnovers.

​CSU Pueblo—Jordan Blair 14, Dylan Sanders 12, Jaden Kennis 9, Kyren Allen 8, Bryce Riehl 7, Cash Callaway 6, Sam Howery 5, Corbin Garver 5, Mac Terry 4, Ty Adam 4. Totals: 26-63FG (10-30 3PT) 12-16 FT. 74 points, 40 rebounds, 19 assists, 9 turnovers.