By Alex Helmbrecht, CSC Sports Information Director

CHADRON – Jon Henderson scored 30 points and three other Lopers joined him in double figures as the University of Nebraska-Kearney turned back Chadron State 96-75 in the Eagles’ home opener Monday evening at Armstrong Gymnasium.

While Henderson stole the show – he scored 18 in the first half and finished 12 of 18 from the field in the game – he received plenty of help from his teammates. Mike Dentlinger scored 24 points and had a game-high 10 rebounds, Pierre Newton had 14 points and Drew Sankey added 10 points and seven boards.

The Eagles led twice at 3-2 and 5-4, but found themselves down by 18 at 39-21 with 4:46 to go in the first half. They trimmed the deficit to 9 at intermission at 45-36 and to 8 in the first minute of the second, only to see UNK push the margin back to 15.

CSC got back to with 7 twice, the last at 72-65 with 9:03 remaining, but then went cold. They missed their next 5 field goal attempts and closed out the game making just 3 of 11 shots and 1 of 4 free throws as they were outscored 24-10.

Although the Eagles weren’t able to make the plays down the stretch – UNK went on a 13-4 scoring run in the second half once CSC cut the Lopers’ lead to 72-65 with nine minutes to play – there were plenty of positives. Five players scored in double figures and five others found the scoring column.

Zac Bargen, the coach’s son, finished with a team-high 15 points, Grant Stone scored 14 off the bench, including four 3-pointers, Justyn Anderson had 11 points, and Chris Taylor and Kendrick Holliman each scored 10. Holliman also had a game-high five assists.

Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field but the Lopers made eight more free throws than the Eagles and they also outscored them on second chance points, 10-0.

Chadron State will play at Division I Colorado State University Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

UNK 45 51 – 96
CSC 36 39 – 75