CHADRON, Neb. (December 2, 2022) - The Colorado State University Pueblo men's basketball team was tripped up in its Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener, falling 83-71, Friday at Chadron State.

The Pack were led by Lian Ramiro who was able to notch 18 points and six rebounds. Makiah Morris and Meekness Payne also chipped in 14 and 13 points respectively, rounded out by Elijah Moleon who put up 12 points off the bench. 
 
Things got off to a quick start in the first quarter, when Payne dropped in a jumper to give the Pack a quick lead, but a quick turnover proved costly as Chadron was able to tie up the game. After trading baskets for the better part of the first 8 minutes Moleon was able to keep things close, tying the game at 15-15 with 12:15 remaining in the half. 
 
Moleon hit another jumper to give the ThunderWolves the lead until the Eagles went on an 11-3 run over three minutes to take the lead 29-23. Payne and Morris responded quickly, getting the score back to even by hitting back-to-back three pointers. De'Shaun Cooper put one through to regain the lead at 31-29 until a turnover and offensive rebounds for the Eagles were able to push their lead to 45-41 heading into the half.
 
Facing a 4-point deficit, Chadron kept the pressure on the Pack to begin the second half, but baskets by Payne and Ramiro helped to keep things close as the Pack were looking at an 8-point deficit with 14:45 remaining on the clock. Fouls and a cold streak of shooting stretched the Eagles lead to 11, but the Pack remained stingy, with 4 consecutive scores to pull within five with nearly seven minutes remaining. 
 
Morris and Ramiro continued to provide a spark, but the Pack ultimately were unable to keep up with a hot Chadron offense, as time ran down and the game ended at 83-71. 
 
Despite shooting at nearly identical ticks, 48% field goals and 35% from beyond the arc. The bench proved to be the difference, with Chadron putting up 32 bench points to the Pack's 19. Along with the bench performance, the turnover battle was lost at 13-8 also proving to be a costly mistake. 
  
CSU Pueblo (4-3, 0-1 RMAC) is back in action Saturday night, looking to end a three-game skid, as they head to face Colorado Christian (4-3, 0-1) in another RMAC showdown starting at 7 p.m. at the CCU Event Center in Lakewood.