CHADRON, Neb. --- The Western Colorado men's basketball team had five players finish in double figures, but fell to Chadron State 85-73 on Friday at the Chicoine Events Center.

The Mountaineers (2-5 overall, 2-4 RMAC) trailed 20-17 with 11:51 remaining in the first half when the Eagles (3-3, 3-3) caught fire offensively - scoring on 10 of 11 possessions (including eight straight possessions) to build a 46-24 lead with 4:50 left in the half. A jumper by CSC's Jacob Jefferson with 3:47 left in the first half made it 48-24 before a much-needed 12-0 run by the Mountaineers - capped by a Cole Sienknecht steal that led to a Jaelan McCloud layup that was assisted by Cade Wood - cut the Eagles' lead in half at the half at 48-36.

However, the Mountaineers never could cut the CSC lead to single digits in the second half - getting as close as 10 points - as the Eagles had an answer for each Western run.

Chadron State shot 54.7 percent from the field, including going 12-for-24 from 3-point range, while the Mountaineers shot 45.9 percent from the field (8-for-24 from 3-point range).

McCloud and Sienknecht had 11 points apiece to lead the Mountaineers while Jackson Ehrlin had 10 points, 11 rebounds and three assists for his third double-double of the season, Elijah Davidson had 10 points, four rebounds and four blocked shots while Matthew Ragsdale had 10 points as well.

CSC's Jacob Jefferson led all scorers with 24 points. 

The Mountaineers' next two contests (Saturday at Black Hills State, Jan. 22 at Adams State) have been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. Next up for Western is a road contest at CSU Pueblo on Jan. 23.