CSC men lose two on the road

Eagles’ Head Coach Houston Reed proud of his team despite the losses 

In their second-longest road trip of the season, the eagles’ men’s basketball went 0-2 over the weekend, losing 109-101 in overtime against New Mexico Highlands, Friday and 85-71 against CSU-Pueblo, Saturday.

“I was proud of how hard our guys competed both nights. We came up short versus NMHU at the free throw line and struggled to get the ball to fall on Saturday night versus CSU-Pueblo. Our guys are competing at a high level each night.” Head Men’s Basketball Coach Houston Reed said in a message to The Eagle.

Against Highlands, Chadron State College took a one-point lead after Colby Jackson, senior of Las Vegas, converted two free throws with 18 seconds remaining but a foul by Walker Andrew, junior of Littleton, Colorado, led to a Jalen Munn, freshman of Albuquerque, New Mexico, free throw to send the game to overtime. Munn added 10 points in overtime with eight coming off free throws. The Eagles committed a season high 36 personal fouls while Highlands shot 45-63 from the charity stripe. Sammy Barnes-Thompkins, junior of Phoenix, led the Cowboys with 33 points while CSC saw season-highs in points scored by Brian Rodriguez-Flores, senior of Phoenix, with 28 and Michael Sparks, senior of Denver, with 26.

After Friday’s overtime loss, seven of the Eagles’ 14 losses are by eight points or fewer. CSC has a current record of 3-14

“We have dropped several close ones on the road thus far. A possession here, a possession there. We ask our players for ‘constant daily improvement’ in all facets on their lives. We are working to improve daily as coaches, players and a team.” Reed said.

Against Pueblo, the Thunderwolves outrebounded CSC 43-31 and saw Brandon McGhee, senior of Oakland, California, earn a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Along with McGhee, Pueblo saw four players score double digit points as Jason Anderson, senior of Colorado Springs, Colorado, led with 24. The Eagles went scoreless during fast breaks, just the second time this season. Sparks scored 13 points and added a steal for CSC, “Mike is a senior. He stays in the gym. He had a great weekend; his hard work deserves a payoff.” Reed said.

The Eagles travel to Colorado Springs, Friday, to play the 6-5 Mountain Lions and to Colorado School of Mines, Saturday, to play the 7-4 Orediggers.