By: Zach Carattini, CSC Sports Information
CHADRON, Neb. -- December 3, 2021 -- The Chadron State College women's basketball team (2-4, 1-0 RMAC) defeated the Fort Lewis Skyhawks (1-5, 0-1 RMAC) 72-49 Friday night in their first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game of the season.
It was a balanced team effort that drove the Eagles to their biggest win of the season so far. Multiple Eagles scored in double figures, and four different players secured seven or more rebounds.
Multiple lead changes occurred in the first half between the Eagles and Skyhawks. Fort Lewis jumped out to a 6-0 lead to start the game after a three-pointer by Alyssa Adams and a layup and free throw by Sydney Candelaria. After a made jump shot by Emily Achter, Samiyah Worrell helped the Eagles' offense by landing back-to-back three-pointers to make it 8-6. The two teams traded blows throughout the first quarter, which ended 16-15 Eagles.
Offenses for both teams continued to thrive heading into the second quarter. A layup and a three-pointer by Candelaria put the Skyhawks on top 26-22, which would be their last lead of the game. Jori Peters made a statement down the stretch by securing two defensive rebounds and landing three jump-shots outside the paint, one of which was a buzzer-beater to close out the first half 34-28.
In the second half, the Eagles' defense surged, holding Fort Lewis to 29.6% on field goals (8-27) and 0% on three-pointers (0-10). Chadron State secured 20 total defensive rebounds during the third and fourth quarters, four of which came from Olyvia Pacheco, who also blocked two of Candelaria's layups. Pacheco finished with a team-high eight rebounds to close out the night.
Ashayla Powers enjoyed one of the best games of her career Friday night. She led the team in field goals (7-9), field goal percentage (77.8%), free throws (10-11), and total points (24). The freshman forward will look to continue her hot streak going forward.
The Eagles will continue conference play when they host Western Colorado (2-4, 0-1 RMAC) Saturday night in the Chicoine Center.
Chadron State—Ashayla Powers 24, Samiyah Worrell 12, Jori Peters 9, Riley Aiono 8, Olyvia Pacheco 7 Emily Achter 5, Tatum Peterson 5, Olivia Waufle 2. Totals: 23-51 (6-16) 20 27, 72 points, 48 rebounds, 16 assists, 18 turnovers.
Fort Lewis—Sydney Candelaria 21, Alyssa Adams 7, Kelsey Sorenson 4, Piper Terry 4, Tayla Nez 3, Claudia Vidal 2, Samantha Wattawa 2, Jana Conjero 2, Brooke McGee 2, Ember Cervantes 2. Totals: 18-55 (5-23) 8-19, 49 points, 28 rebounds, 9 assists, 15 turnovers.