By: Con Marshall
CSC Sports Information
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Chadron State men's basketball endured a difficult afternoon against the 2023-24 Division II national champions, falling to Minnesota State by an 81-52 score to conclude play at the University of Sioux Falls Classic.
The Eagles received 13 points and eight rebounds from Blessing Adesipe, but shot 31.6 percent from the field overall, making just two of 16 three-point attempts. An exception was at the free throw line, where they sank 14 of 15.
Chadron State got off to a solid start, tying the score 12-12 on a pair of free throws by Adesipe midway in the first half. But the Mavericks outscored the Eagles 18-4 in the next seven minutes to take a 30-16 lead. Minnesota State led 39-24 at halftime, then outscored the Eagles 42-28 in the second half.
The Mavericks, now 5-2, didn't burn the nets, shooting 41.2% overall from the field, but helped pull away from their opponent by making 12 of 31 shots from behind the arc. The winners also out-rebounded CSC 48-34.
Behind Adesipe, point guard Mack Keighran added 12 points while going 8-of-9 at the free throw line. Senior Zach Smith, who hit the winning 3-pointer with less than 10 second remaining earlier in the week when the Eagles nipped the Mary Marauders from Bismarck 83-82, added 11 points.
Arhman Lewis, also a senior guard, paced the Minnesota team with 16 points while making 4-of-5 treys and all four of his free shots. Malcolm Jones contributed 13 points, Traijan Sain 11 and Colton Benson 10.
Caden Kirkman added eight points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Jones came away with nine caroms. Both Kirkman and Jones are 6-8.
Now 1-4 for the season, the Eagles will be busy next weekend. They'll host Northern State of Aberdeen, S.D., at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 and Colorado Christian at 1:30 the next day.
Minnesota State—Arhman Lewis 16, Malcolm Jones 13, Traijan Sain 11, Colton Benson 10, Caden Kirkman 8, Dave Harmon 7, Will Opsahl 6. Carson Schweim 5, Joe Buchanan 3, Chase Bartlett 2. Totals: 26-68 FG (12-31 3PT) 13-18 FT. 81 points, 48 rebounds, 15 assists, 8 turnovers.
Chadron State—Blessing Adesipe 13, Mack Keighran 12, Zach Smith 11, Luka Djurovic 8, Ethan Russell 4, Isaiah Randolph 4. Totals: 18-57 FG (2-16 3PT) 14-15 FT. 52 points, 34 rebounds, 7 assists, 13 turnovers.