After splitting its first four games while playing on the road, the Chadron State College men’s basketball team will open its home schedule by hosting the University of Sioux Falls Cougars at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22. The Eagles also will be at home against Nebraska-Kearney at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 and to begin their conference schedule on Thursday, Dec. 5 versus South Dakota Mines.
The Eagles played their first two games in Texas against A&M teams. They edged International in Laredo 72-68, but lost the second game to Kingsville 73-71 in overtime to what was described as a “wild buzzer beater” in overtime.
CSC also fell to Northwest Missouri State 74-57 last Thursday, but bounced back the next day to beat the Ottawa Braves 83-67.
Before becoming the Eagles’ new coach, Chris Francis, took the University of Science and Arts in Oklahoma to five NAIA National Tournaments. His new team is the tallest ever at Chadron State with six players at least 6-5, including 6-11 Darrius Miles and 6-9 John Jacobs.
A different player has led the team in scoring or shared that distinction in each of the first four games, so the lineup is far from being set.
“This is about what I expected,” Francis said. “We’ve got a lot of good players and there’s only one basketball. I’m glad they are sharing it.”
Sioux Falls began its season by losing to Washburn 89-71, then beating Southern Arkansas 73-69 and Jamestown 80-69.