Men’s B’ball downs ASU Grizzlies, ends losing streak

By Eben Rosentrater – Sports Editor

The CSC men’s basketball team ended their losing streak to stay above .500 after a commanding 92-80 victory against the Grizzlies of Adams State, Alamosa, Colorado, on Saturday.

Despite losing to the Fort Lewis Skyhawks, of Durango, Colorado, on Friday, the Eagles were able to bounce back and end a four-game losing streak, the longest of the season so far.

Friday’s game against the Skyhawks started well for the Eagles. CSC guard Isaiah Wyatt, junior of Fort Worth, Texas, took quick control of the game, scoring the Eagles’ first 10 points of the game. This, coupled with tough defense from Chadron, allowed the Eagles to jump to a 15-6 lead over Fort Lewis.

However, the Skyhawks refused to back down, going on a 13-point run, taking the lead 19-15. Fort Lewis would hold the lead for the rest of the contest.

The Skyhawks scoring spree would continue into the second half, holding a 20-point lead at two different points in the game.

Every attempt to close the gap from the Eagles was met by the Skyhawks’ stout defense or another scoring spree, making a comeback a tall task for Chadron.

The Skyhawks shot .525 from the field compared to the Eagles’ .394, which led to Chadron’s 72-84 loss on Friday. 

However, the Eagles’ luck would turn the following day against the Adams State Grizzlies.

 The Grizzlies scored on their first eight possessions, quickly jumping out to a 17-9 lead. The Eagles countered, scoring the next nine points of the game.

The first half went back-and-forth in terms of lead changes, however, a quick 6-foot jumper from Bryce Latimer, junior of Stone Mountain, Georgia, put the Eagles in the lead, 50-48 going into halftime.

The beginning of the second half stayed close, but some incredible three-point shooting from the Eagles stretched the lead past the Grizzlies abilities. Chadron would go on to win the contest 92-80, staying above .500 with a record of 9-8.

Six different Eagles were able to shoot for double-digit points against the Grizzlies. The team ended the night shooting .565 from the field, a step up from the Eagles’ previous four contests.

“It was nice to see the ball go through the hoop so well,” CSC Head Men’s Basketball Coach Shane Paben told CSC Sports Information on Saturday. “Our defense wasn’t the best, but it was great to get the victory.”

Over the weekend, the Eagles were yet again led by Wyatt, who scored 35 total points, shooting .523 from the field. He also recorded 10 rebounds and three assists.

Right behind him was Josh Robinson, junior of Paris, Texas, who scored 33 points between the two games, recording .616 from the field. He recorded seven rebounds and four assists.

The Eagles will take the court again against the UCCS Mountain Lions, at 7:30 p.m., on Friday, at home in the Chicoine Center.