Eagles split last weekend’s game, prepare for Colorado match-ups

The Chadron State men’s basketball team faced off against its South Dakota Rivals, Black Hills State University, and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in an RMAC double-header. CSC beat BHSU 74-59, and lost to SDSM 66-60. The Eagles are now 4-3 on the year with a 2-1 conference record.

In the first game of the weekend, the Eagles jumped out to a quick lead, courtesy of seven first half 3-pointers. CSC outshot Black Hills State 46.8 percent to 37.7 percent from the field. The Eagles were also able to hold the Yellow Jackets to just 22 percent from the 3-point line. As a team, the Eagles shot eight of 18 from behind the arc.

Warren Gordon, junior of Indianapolis, shot a perfect three of three from long range, and six of seven from the free-throw line. Gordon, who previously averaged about 13 points per game, finished with 15. Sharif Black, sophomore of Detroit, followed closely with 14 while grabbing a team high nine rebounds. Matt Reader, sophomore of Appleton, Wisconsin, added 12 points and seven rebounds.

For the Yellow Jackets, Nick Ongarato, senior of Broomfield, Colorado, led all scorers with 18 points, most of them coming in the second half. He also led the Yellow Jackets in rebounds with six. Riley Ryan, senior of Sheridan, Wyoming, who came into the game averaging 18 points per game, was held to just four points.

Against the Hardrockers of South Dakota School of Mines, the Eagles failed to continue the hot shooting from the previous night. As a team, CSC was held to a dismal six of 23 from behind the arc, a total of 26 percent. The Eagles were able to shoot over 90 percent from the free-throw line, sinking 10 of 11.

Billy Johnson, junior of Cedar Hill, Texas, led the Eagles with 16 points and three assists. Senior Davante McCallam, of Miami, who scored 10 points, was the only other Eagle to tally double digit points. Gordon was held to just two points, shooting about 14 percent from the field.

Konor Kulas, junior of Appleton, Wisconsin, led all scorers with 17 points and pulled down six rebounds. Marco Pascolo, junior of Undine, Italy, grabbed nine rebounds, which led all players.

The Eagles will travel to Colorado for their next contests against Metropolitan State University of Denver and the University of Colorado- Colorado Springs. Tip off for Friday’s match-up is set for 7 p.m. MST and 7:30 p.m. MST, Saturday.