This late in any season, every contest played carries significant post-season weight. That weight hovered over Friday night's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game at Chadron State, as Colorado Christian Basketball battled in vain to earn a critical late-season win. Instead of dominating the contest, the favored Cougar squad played tight – eventually falling 82-69 to the home Eagles.
 
Playing short-handed from the onset, Christian entered the game at a disadvantage. The result was an out-of-character showing for the Cougars, including struggles on the glass and on defense and an 18-turnover effort.
 
"We did not rebound well, we turned the ball over, and we didn't establish any defensive rhythm," emphasized Head Coach Kevin Lubbers. "On the road, 99 times out of 100 that equals a loss."
 
Eager to take advantage of CCU's shortcomings, Chadron turned in a lethally efficient game. After shooting 57% in the opening half, the home Eagles ramped things up in the second – connecting at a 62% clip. At the end of 40, CSC was shooting 59% from the field and a blazing 52% from three-point land. Though the Cougars' 45% showing wasn't terrible, it certainly wasn't enough to keep the visiting squad in the game.
 
Nowhere was the night's imbalance more evident than in the paint. There the blue and gold found themselves outmatched, on the losing end of a 34-21 battle on the glass and a 34-20 scoring disparity. Though Andrew Squiers amassed 16 points and three assists, Christian never mustered the answer they'd need to overcome Chadron's potency – especially down the stretch. As the night's moments waned, CSC launched a 12-4 run to seal the fate of the contest.
 
Now 12-12 on the year and 9-9 in RMAC play, CCU will head into Saturday's game at Black Hills State with a sense of urgency. The Cougars beat BHSU 71-68 in Lakewood in December, and sit just above the Yellow Jackets in conference standings with just two and a half weeks left to play.