The Chadron State College men’s basketball team trailed only once, after the opening basket of the game, and it led by as many as 28 with three minutes remaining in an 81-57 win over the University of Puerto Rico-Carolina on Friday in San Juan.

Playing with a vastly depleted roster, the Eagles built a 43-24 lead at the half on 15 first half Jaguars turnovers. UPRC then went on a 21-8 run in the early minutes after the break, but under 12 minutes, the Jags went cold and only hit a couple of field goals the rest of the game.

“Our focus kind of waned in the second half,” said CSC Head Men’s Basketball Coach Shane Paben. “When we lose focus, we don’t end up playing our defense.

It was the first time in 25 years I didn’t have the chance to see someone play or look at a roster. We just said, ‘instead of worrying about them, we have to take care of ourselves, and worry about our offense and our defense.'”

CSC shot 43 percent from the field, going 28-of-65, but it also hit 10 of its 25 three point attempts to shoot 40 percent from beyond the arc. They were only 15 of 28 from the foul line.

The Eagles also outrebounded the Jaguars by nine, pulling down 45 boards to the opponent’s 36. Sixteen of CSC’s rebounds came on the offensive glass.
Chadron State scored 23 of its points off turnovers.

The leading scorer for CSC was Teddy Parham, Jr., with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting including 3-of-5 from downtown. He also came one board shy of a double-double, leading the team with nine rebounds.

Marcus Jefferson contributed 13 points, hitting three from long range, and he handed out a team-high five assists.

Taj Toney scored 11 and grabbed eight rebounds, while KJ Harris hit two three-pointers to finish with 10 points and six boards.

“The opponent tomorrow is going to be vastly improved,” said Paben. They probably should have beaten Adams State today. We really need to prepare ourselves, and the nice thing is, we did get to scout them today.”

CSC plays University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, an NCAA Division II independent which features a high scorer named Adrian Ocasio, who lit up Adams State in the morning session for 27 points in 23 minutes. Paben noted Ocasio might win conference Player of the Year in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Chadron State—Teddy Parham, Jr. 15, Marcus Jefferson 13, Taj Toney 11, KJ Harris 10, Beau Bragg 8, Tejaun Hale 8, CJ Jennings 7, Olgierd Dmochevicz 4, Brady Delimont 3, Gage Delimont 2. Totals: 28-65 (10-25) 15-28 81 points, 45 rebounds, 21 assists, 13 turnovers.