Friday, March 6, 2026
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Latest:
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
BasketballSports

Women lose first home game, 78-52

Guest Author

The CSC women’s basketball team lost its season-opener against Augustana College Friday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 85-59.

“Our team did really well for our first game together with so many new players,” freshman forward Maka Daysh, of Tauranga, New Zealand, said. “A few players definitely connected and will have awesome chemistry by the end of the season.”

Guard Havannah Newens (11), sophomore of Mitchell, shoots the ball Tuesday during the game against Montana State University—Billings, at the Chicoine Events Center. —Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky
Guard Havannah Newens (11), sophomore of Mitchell, shoots the ball Tuesday during the game against Montana State University—Billings, at the Chicoine Events Center. —Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky

Daysh led the Chadron team making all five of her field goal attempts and five of her six free throw shots for 15 points. Guard Havannah Newens, sophomore of Mitchell, made four of six attempts from behind the 3-point line and one 2-pointer, earning a career-high of 14 points.

“We showed bright spots on offense and defense,” Newens said. “I think using our athleticism and depth will help us improve going forward. We have many talented players and it will be important for us to utilize that depth.”

Sophomore forward Maddie Metzger, of Georgetown, Texas, canned three of five field goals and grabbed a total of seven rebounds.

“I think that, overall, it was a good learning experience,” Metzger said. “We definitely had our ‘first game jitters.’ We had moments where we really came together as a team and looked solid. We have so much talent and I can’t wait to see what we’ll look like once we really come together as a team.”

The Eagles averaged 39.6 percent of their field goals; 38.5 percent of their 3-pointers; and 80 percent of their free throws.

“Our team is really focusing on boxing out and our rebounding game. The other team was very big and long but our guards did well to keep them off the boards,” Daysh said. “Our team is just planning on improving our overall communication as that’s the key to winning games. We have a very talented team and once we can put them all together, it will be exciting for Eagle fans.”

The CSC women’s basketball team fell to Montana State University—Billings in the women’s home season opener Tuesday in the new Chicoine Events Center.

The Eagles played competitively, but were slipping to MSU after each possession. At the end of the first half, they were trailing 20-39. CSC was unable to catch the Yellowjackets and lost the game 78-52.

MSU’s Quinn Peoples, senior of Butte, Montana, and Alisha Breen, sophomore of Choteau, Montana, both forwards, were the Yellowjackets’ lead scorers. Peoples marked a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Breen snagged 19 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Forward Kayleen Goggins, senior of Shepherd, Montana, added 18 points and three steals. All together MSU hit 43.3 percent from the field, 64.5 percent from the foul line, and out-rebounded the Eagles 48 to 33.

CSC’s Kate Simonton, senior guard of Bakersfield, California, hit five of nine shots, including two 3-pointers, to lead the Eagles with 12 points and three assists. Hattie Guzman of Scottsbluff, and Stephanie Knowles of Colorado Springs, Colorado, both junior guards, nailed seven points each, as well as Kayla Mathews, freshman point guard of Adelaide, South Australia. Knowles added six rebounds and three blocks for the Eagles. Chadron State shot 36.4 percent from the field and made 40 percent of free throws.

“We have a lot of new faces this year and a lot of talent,” Newens said. “We are extremely athletic and I feel like we can outrun other teams.”

The Eagles, now 0-2, will travel to Wayne to face the Wildcats 6 p.m., Friday.