CHADRON, NE- The Cougars traveled to Chadron State on Sunday for a non-conference matchup against the Eagles. CCU closed out a nailbiter as they claimed a quality 61-57 victory.

Pierce Bazil and Joshua Reid got the scoring started early with a pair of layups, and Pierce drained a three moments later for a 9-3 lead. A three-point play from Porter Bazil made it 14-8, and the lead eventually hit 18-9 after a Zachary Reed layup. 

Andrew Reichart got a layup to go later in the half, while Jared Lloyd Jr. hit a free throw as the two teams battled back and forth. One final make from the charity stripe by Lloyd Jr. closed the half with CCU on top 31-27. 

The Eagles took a brief lead early in the second half, but the Cougars responded with back-to-back three-pointers by Pierce and Schafer Reichart to go back ahead by three. The shots continued to fall from beyond the arc as Porter nailed a three, and jumpers from Bobby McWard and Lloyd Jr. sent CCU in front 51-40. 

Chadron State did not go away easily, fighting their way back into the game and eventually bringing the score within two points with 1:21 remaining. CCU buckled down, making a defensive stop and going 6-6 down the stretch from the free throw line to seal the 61-57 victory over their conference foe. 

Pierce led the offense with 20 points, followed by Porter with 13 points and a team high seven rebounds. Porter dished out an impressive six assists and had six blocks, while Schafer was consistent with seven points and five boards. 

The Cougars will now return home to begin RMAC play with a matchup against Western Colorado on December 4 at 8 p.m. MST inside the CCU Event Center.