LAKEWOOD, CO – It was a close knit affair throughout that didn't quite fall the home teams way.
Chadron State did just enough down the stretch and overcame a last second shot to pull out an 80-79 win against Colorado Christian on Friday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED: During the opening 20 minutes neither team was able to control the action as the lead changed hands seven times with the score knotted on five other occasions. Chadron State's Colby Jackson played a huge factor with an 18-point frame bolstered by a 3-for-3 effort from behind the arc.
Colorado Christian spread their offense around in the half as Braxton Tucker and Stefan Hackethal each scored 11 points as the visitors went into the locker room up 43-42.
The second half unfolded in nearly identical fashion. The largest lead either team had in the last 20 minutes was five points when the Cougars held a pair of five-point advantages early in the frame.
Colorado Christian took their last lead of the game with 3:19 left when Justin Engesser made a put-back lay-up to give his team a 75-74 lead. Chadron State pushed it lead to three points on two occasions down the stretch but the Cougars had one final chance in the closing seconds.
After holding the Eagles scoreless on their final possession, Jake Hornick rushed the ball down the court but his off balance jumper at the buzzer hit off the rim.
COUGAR BEST: Jeremiah Hanson had a team best 26 points on the strength of a 10-for-14 effort from the floor. Hanson made four of his six shots from behind the arc. Hackethal went for 20 points as he made four three-pointers as well.
Tucker posted a double-double with a 13-point, 11-rebound effort in 34 minutes on the court. Engesser tallied 11 points without leaving the court.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
- Each team made 28 fields and eight three-pointers
- Chadron State went 16-for-20 from the charity stripe while the Cougars went 15-for-17
- Colorado Christian hit 51.9 percent of their field goal attempts
- There were 21 lead changes and 12 ties in the contest
UP NEXT: Tomorrow the Cougars conclude their season long five-game homestand against MSU Denver at 7 p.m.
