
By: Con Marshall
CSC Sports Information
CHADRON, Neb. – After a first half where neither team shot the ball well, Chadron State women's basketball was much more effective in the second half to pull away from Westminster and snap a seven-game losing streak with a 63-43 win Friday at the Chicoine Center.
The Eagles were 0-for-15 as a team from three-point range in the first half when point guard Kyra Tanabe launched a deep three to beat the first-half buzzer that bounced off the backboard into the hoop and tied the score 20-20 heading to halftime. Tanabe's shot seemingly unlocked the hoop for the hosts, who outscored their guests 43-23 in the second half.
The third quarter was the big one for the Eagles. They tallied the first eight points and were ahead the rest of the game. In the third period, they sank 8 of their 14 field goal shots, including 3 of 4 three-pointers, and hit 8 of 10 free throws for a total of 27 points, making it their second-most productive quarter of the season. The surge put the Eagles ahead 47-29 entering the fourth stanza, and they led by at least 15 points the rest of the way.
The Eagles shot just 29 percent from the field in the first half, making only 9 of 31 attempts. In the second half, however, CSC sunk 14 of 30 field goal attempts for 46.7 percent shooting.
Tanabe was the Eagles' top scorer with 11 points while fellow guards Allison Richards and Kadyn Comer each finished with 10. After Tanabe's long three as the first half was ending, Richards hit two treys and Comer one in the decisive third period. Center McKenzi Petersen added nine points and another guard, Liberty Line, had eight for the hosts.
Two more Eagles also reached double figures as rebounders. Both Kylie Krise and Bati Assefa grabbed 10, leading CSC to a 49-39 advantage off the glass.
Westminster's leading scorer and rebounder was senior Maunayia Harrigfeld with 14 points and eight caroms. She scored 11 points in the first half. Teammate Maia Rhay finished with 10 points.
For the game, Chadron State shot 23-for-61 from the field for 37.7 percent and the Griffins were 16-for-63 for 25.4 percent. CSC made 4 of 24 shots from behind the arc and Westminster only 1 of 22. The Eagles were 13-for-16 at the free throw line. The Utah team was 10-for-14.
Chadron State outscored the visitors 38-24 in the paint and received 37 points from their bench compared to only eight bench points for Westminster.
The Eagles are now 3-12 for the season and Westminster is 3-14. Both are 2-7 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. CSC will be at home again Saturday afternoon to play Colorado Mesa (12-4, 7-2 RMAC).
Westminster—Maunayia Harrigfeld 14, Maia Rhay 10, Lime Okada 8, Olivia Tausinga 6, Nisa Ellis 5. Totals: 16-63 FG (1-22 3PT) 10-14 FT. 43 points, 38 rebounds, 4 assists, 14 turnovers.