BY: CON MARSHALL
The Colorado Mesa men shot just a bit better in all three phases of the offense on Friday night while taking a 73-60 verdict over Chadron State in Grand Junction.
The Mavericks were 27-57 (47.5%) from the field compared to the Eagles’ 39.3% (25-61). They also were 12-of-20 from 3-point range while the visitors were 8-of-27 and the winners made seven of their nine free throws while the Eagles were four-of-nine.
Mesa also won the rebounding battle 37-28. Both teams had 11 turnovers.
Chadron State was ahead 13-9 after 6 ½ minutes had been played, but was outscored 10-0 in the next three minutes. The Mavericks went on take a 37-29 halftime lead.
While keeping Mesa from making a field goal for five minutes in the second half, the Eagles closed the gap to 46-45 with 10:43 to play, but could never quite take the lead.
Mesa was ahead by only 53-51 with 8 minutes remaining, but the Mavericks went on a 7-0 run and were ahead by at least 10 the final 3:22.
Five Mesa players scored in double figures led by Trevor Baskin and Isaac Jessup with 14 apiece, and three more added 10. Josh Robinson also posted 14 points for Chadron State and Isaac Wyatt scored 12.
The win was the sixth in a row for Mesa against RMAC foes. They are now 11-3 for the season and 6-2 in the conference. The Eagles are 8-6 and 5-3.
Chadron State will play its fifth game in eight days Saturday when it visits the Westminster Griffins on Saturday night. Westminster thumped Colorado Christian 80-45 on Friday and is now 4-11 overall and 3-5 in the RMAC.
Chadron State—Josh Robinson 14, Isaiah Wyatt 12, Pat McLachlan 9, Jarrett Taylor 7, MJ Foust 6, Bryce Latimer 5, Porter Anderson 4, Marcus Jefferson 3. Totals: 25-61 (8-27) 4-9 60 points, 38 rebounds, 11 turnovers.
Colorado Mesa—Trevor Baskin 14, Isaac Jessup 14, Blaise Threatt 10, Mike McCurry 10, Chris Speller 10, Mac Riniker 8, Reece Johnson 4, Owen Koonce 3. Totals: 27-57 (12-20) 7-9 73 points, 37 rebounds, 11 turnovers.
Chadron State 29 31 ----60
Colorado Mesa 37 36 ----73
3-pointers: CSC—McLachlan 3, Wyatt 2, Taylor 1, Jefferson 1, Latimer 1. Mesa—Jessup 4, Threatt 2, McCurry 2, Speller 2, Baskin 1 Koonce 1.
Mesa women breeze by Eagles Friday
The Colorado Mesa women’s basketball team had things in high gear as it rolled to a 76-31 victory over Chadron State during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game played in Grand Junction on Friday night.
The Lady Mavericks were ahead 22-12 at the end of the first quarter and limited the Eagles to fewer than 10 points in each of the remaining three periods. Mesa shot 45.3% from the field, including 11 of 25 from behind the arc, and also made 17 of 19 free throws.
Chadron State never got its offense going, shooting just 19% from the field, made just one of 15 three-point shots and was only 10 of 21 at the free throw line.
Mesa is now 4-10 for the season and 3-5 in the RMAC. CSC is 2-12 and 2-6.
Four Mesa players scored in double figures, led sophomore Kylie Kravig with 17 points. Laura Gutierrez added 13 points, Jamisyn Heaton 12 and Tia Slade 10. Heaton was the game’s leading rebounder with 10.
Shay Powers led the Eagles with 13 points. Claudia Dollinger added seven points and claimed a team-high seven rebounds.
The Eagles will venture on to Salt Lake City to play Westminster on Saturday night. The Lady Griffins topped Colorado Christian 80-74 Friday night and are now 8-6 overall and 6-2 in the conference.
Chadron State 12 5 6 8 ---31
Colorado Mesa 22 12 22 20 ---76