CHADRON – Chadron State’s Zac Bargen finished with 30 points and nine rebounds but the Eagles came up just short in a 75-70 loss in a wild Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game against Colorado School of Mines Saturday in Chadron.
The Eagles, who trailed most of the game, used pesky defense and clutch shooting from both Bargen and David Downey to make things interesting down the stretch to force the extra period.
Trailing by two in regulation, the Eagles’ Kyle Vinich scored a tough hoop under the basket to tie things up with 22 seconds to play. However, the Eagles needed to dodge a few shots from Mines on its last possession before moving to overtime.
In overtime, the Eagles fell behind 64-62 before Bargen completed a 3-point play to put them ahead. The Orediggers came right back as Brian Muller made a quick layup to take a 66-65 lead and the two squads continued to trade baskets until Muller hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with just over 40 seconds to play. After a missed three point attempt by Bargen, Muller hit one from the foul line to ice the game.
Also for Chadron State, Downey added 11 points for the Eagles, while Kendrick Holliman finished with 10.
The Orediggers were led by Muller’s 23 points and six rebounds. Luke Meisch added 19 points and Trevor Wages had 11 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocked shots before fouling out in overtime.
The loss drops the Eagles to 3-20 on the season and 3-16 in the league, while the Orediggers improve to 13-10 overall and 10-9 in the conference.
Allan Schmaltz, Sports Information Graduate Assistant