Sole Possession of First Place for the Cowboys

Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M.- The Cowboys continued their dominance at home, as they beat Chadron State 93-80. Marlon Johnson had another double-double, as he had a team high 25 points and 11 rebounds. With the help of Johnson, the Cowboys were able to dominate in the paint as they had 42 points in the paint.
 
With the win, the Cowboys remain atop of the Conference with an 8-2 RMAC record.
 
In the game, the Cowboys would be accurate and shoot over 50% from the field. Despite their hot shooting, the Eagles would heavily shoot from the three-point line to keep them in striking distance for most of the game.
 
A dunk by Kaylen Shane would start the game off and show that the Cowboys would try to dominate down low. The Cowboys would start hot and go up 17-9 with 14:27 left in the half. The Cowboys would try hard to put a big gap between them and the Eagles but the Eagles would use the three point shot to cut the deficit.
 
The Eagles would come back to tie the game at 21 after a layup by Jordan Perry. The Cowboys would get a small lead but again the Eagles would tie the game at 31-31 after a three pointer.
 
After two consecutive three pointers by Kendrick Nichols, who had a dominating 20-point, 9-rebound performance, the Cowboys would be up 40-31 with 4:51 in the half. The Eagles would push to try to get the lead but the Cowboys would not let it happen. A dunk by Ron Lawton on a fast break would end the scoring for the first half, and the Cowboys would go into the locker rooms up 48-42.
 
Coming out of the locker rooms, Johnson and Shane would score the first four points to help get the Cowboys their first double digit lead in the game. The Eagles would begin to chip at the lead. After a jumper from Jordan Green, the Eagles would go up 61-60.
 
Nichols would then score the next six points and help the Cowboys regain their lead. After a good run by the Cowboys and a layup by Jonathon Mines, who came back from injury, the Cowboys would have an 11 point lead with 6:10 in the game.
 
The Cowboys would finally create separation and would carry a double-digit lead to the end. The boys would have as high as a 19-point lead in the game and win their eighth game in conference.
 
With the Cowboy win and Fort Lewis's loss to Colorado Mesa, the Cowboys are in sole possession of first place. Johnson's double-double is his 7^th of the year, which is second best in the RMAC and ranks 30^th nationally.
 
The Cowboys return to action tomorrow night, Saturday January 16^th at 7 p.m. against Regis University. Live stats and video will be available.
 

	New Mexico Highlands	Chadron State
Field Goal Percentage	55.0% (33-60)	39.1% (27-69)
Three Point Percentage	36.8% (7-19)	37.1% (13-35)
Free Throw Percentage	74.1% (20-27)	76.5% (13-17)
Rebounds	37	38
Turnovers	8	11
Leading Scorer	Marlon Johnson 25	Warren Gordon 20
Leading Rebounder	Marlon Johnson 11	Matt Reader 8