By: John Murphy
CSC Sports Information Director
PUEBLO, Colo. -- CSU-Pueblo outscored Chadron State 15-4 in the first quarter on its home court to propel the hosts to a 62-52 victory in the conference opener Friday for both teams in Pueblo, Colorado.
The loss drops the Eagles to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Chadron State's lone lead of the game occurred with 6:59 to play in the first quarter. Awoti Akoi, a junior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, made two free throws that gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead. A CSU-Pueblo basket gave them a 3-2 lead in which they never lost.
The Eagles outscored their opponents by three in the second quarter to trail by eight at half. A buzzer beater three at the end of the third period extended the hosts lead to seven and the Eagles never were able to lower their deficit to less than six in the final period.
The Pack shot 36.5 percent from the field in the victory compared to CSC's 31.3 percent. Both teams struggled from behind the arc, where the Eagles made four of their 16 attempts while CSU-Pueblo made seven of their 25. Chadron State outrebounded its opponent 39 to 35 in the loss.
A total of 26 Eagle turnovers resulted in 23 points for the home team. CSU-Pueblo had 19 turnovers that Chadron State turned in to 18 points.
Liberty Line, a redshirt sophomore from Parker, Colorado, stayed true to her name, making 10 of her 11 attempts from the line for a team high 14 points. The Eagles finished 18 of 21 from the free throw line, good for 85.7 percent.
Kylie Krise, a Western Colorado transfer and native of Briggsdale, Colorado, chipped in ten points to join Line in double-digits.
Three Thunderwolves scored in double-digits, led by Alisha Little with 16 points. Autumn Watts and Landri Hudson added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Ashayla Powers, a junior from Longmont, Colorado had a team high eight rebounds for CSC. Little also led the Thunderwolves in rebounds with 13 to finish with the double-double.