CHADRON – Colorado Mesa’s Colton Burgon scored 26 points, including 18 after intermission, and the Mavericks used a 13-0 scoring run during a three-minute stretch midway in the second half to defeat Chadron State 77-62 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
The Eagles, now 0-5 and 0-1 in the RMAC, will host Western State tonight (Saturday). Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.
The two teams traded punches through much of the game but Mesa (5-0, 1-0 RMAC) pulled away after Chadron State tied it up at 44-44 with 12:29 to play by going on a 13-0 run, keyed by six points from Burgon.
Chadron State fought back and cut Mesa’s lead to 59-52 after a jumper from Grant Stone but Burgon scored four straight and the Mavs pushed their lead back up to double digits.
Zac Bargen led three Chadron State players in double figures with 22 points and five rebounds. Grant Stone and David Downey also scored in double digits, finishing with 12.
The Eagles shot well from the free throw line – they made 24 of 28 attempts – but were just 16 of 39 from the field.
Colorado Mesa took 20 more shots than CSC – the Mavs sank 30 of 59 from the floor – and scored 35 points off 27 Chadron State turnovers.
Alex Helmbrecht, Sports Information Director