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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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Eagles enchant the court in P.R.

Mackenzie Dahlberg

CSC men’s basketball team was able to travel to the island of enchantment and play three games against island teams.

While in Puerto Rico, the Eagles CSC took three wins by ten points or more even with a portion of their players out for injuries, evening out their overall record 4-4 with different Eagles on the leader board game to game.

“Everyone gave us valuable minutes throughout the weekend at some point in those three games,” Shane Paben, head men’s basketball coach, said. “Those guys really stepped up when we were in foul trouble, injuries, guys getting thrown into different positions and stuff. I’m just proud of the entire group.”

For the first game, Teddy Parham, junior of Los Angeles, led the Eagles with 15 points against the University of Puerto Rico-Carolina on Friday.

Teddy Parham (2), middle, junior of Los Angeles, attempts to steal a pass between Dolphin players Daniel Mangual, left, and Rychell Janga during Sunday’s men’s basketball game against University of Sacred Heart at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

The Eagles took a quick lead over the Jaguars to finish the first half, 43-24. Chadron State continued to drive for points taking a 24-point win, 81-57.

Parham contributed five of eight field goals, three of five three pointers, and made both of his free throw attempts. He also led the team with nine rebounds, finishing the game just shy of a double-double.

The second game against the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras remained a little closer, the biggest lead for the Eagles being 23 points with about 13 minutes left of the second half.

“Playing three straight days is always tough,” Paben said. “It’s not an easy thing to do and do we have enough energy. They were not bad teams down there. We had to go out there and compete, hit some shots.”

CJ Jennings, senior of Colorado Springs, Colorado, led the second game against the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras with 21 points. He was 100% from the free throw line, gaining 10 of his points off of the Roosters’ fouls.

CJ Jennings (4), senior of Colorado Springs, Colorado, lifts the ball for a free throw shot during the men’s basketball game Saturday against the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Jennings was four of 12 for field goals and three of seven for three-pointers. Similar to Parham during Friday’s game, Jennings also led the Eagles with six rebounds on Saturday.

During Sunday’s game, Brady Delimont, senior of Ainsworth, and Jennings, battled against University of Sacred Heart’s Rychell Janga on the arc which tied the score eight times and the lead changed 12 times.

Brady Delimont (5), right, senior of Ainsworth, shoots over Gian Rivera during Saturday’s men’s basketball game at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. 

Delimont led the Eagles with 19 points, making five from within the arc and at the arc. He also made four of five free throws.

“It was a great weekend for our team,” Delimont said. “I wouldn’t have been the leading scorer without the help of my teammates. It was great to achieve that but winning was even better. We took a big step as a team this weekend.”

Jennings was right behind with 18 points: four field goals, four three-pointers and being six of eight for free throws.

The Eagles eventually broke away from the dolphins with a three pointer from KJ Harris, junior of McKinney, Texas, with 8:50 left in the second half.

KJ Harris (23), junior of McKinney, Texas, drives toward the basket against Fernando Rangel during the men’s basketball game Sunday against the University of Sacred Heart at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

For the last six minutes of the game, Jennings made four free throws while Delimont made two of his three-pointers to extend the Eagles’ lead to 10 points before the buzzer sounded to signal CSC’s full sweep in Puerto Rico.

“Whenever you get an opportunity to get in the game, you have to make the most of it,” Delimont said. “Everyone did that and that is showed going 3-0.”

Harris and Marcus Jefferson, junior of Lewisville, Texas, played through all three games consistently.

Marcus Jefferson (3), junior of Lewisville, Texas, wrestles for the ball against Jaguar player during the men’s basketball game, Friday against University of Puerto Rico-Carolina at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Harris scored 10 points Friday, 14 points Saturday and seven points Sunday. Over the weekend, he scored 12 of 21 field goals and five of 11 three-pointers. He had a strong presence with rebounds with six on both Friday and Sunday and two Saturday.

Jefferson finished the weekend with a total of 34 points. He had 11 makes within the arc, seven three-pointers, and five free throws.

Still facing a number of injuries, the Eagles return to play in Chicoine against Fort Lewis College on Friday and Western Colorado University on Saturday. They will play after the women’s basketball team plays at 5:30 p.m., both days.

“We’re adjusting on the fly. It kind of feels like COVID almost like every day is like I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Paben said. “So, if we weather the storm and come together, this group could really be special in January and February. Not the season I envisioned but we’re still battling.”