CHADRON, Neb. -  The Regis University men's basketball team (2-5, 0-1 RMAC) lost their first Rocky Mountian Athletic Conference (RMAC) game of the season dropping 70-67 to the Chadron State College Eagles (3-2, 1-0 RMAC).

Regis came out strong in the opening minutes of the first half as five different Rangers got on the board early. Senior Billy Hansen started things off draining two free throws after he was fouled, sophomore Dexter Sienko followed with a layup, and freshman Ryan Beisty collected an offensive rebound, and went up strong scoring his first bucket of the game putting RU up 6-4 after five minutes of play.

Senior Dylan King entered the game and immediately made an impact scoring on his first shot attempt. Minutes later, a three-pointer from King gave Regis an 18-16 lead with just over eight minutes left in the first half.   

Three three-pointers from the Eagles gave CSC the 28-21 lead with three minutes to play. RU responded with two three pointers of their own coming from junior Noah King and freshman Jarrett Brodbeck. Sienko also nailed a jumper to bring Regis within one, 30-29. Another shot from beyond the arc gave Chadron State a four-point cushion with time winding down. N. King drove the length of the court and found a cutting Beisty for a layup as time expired. At halftime, the Eagles led 33-31. 

Coming out of haltime, the Rangers got a quick steal and Sienko tied the game at 33 apiece. After a two-point bucket for CSC, sophomore Roberto Reyes knocked down a three-pointer to give RU their first lead of the second half, 36-35. Hansen followed suit and nailed a three-pointer of his own.

Back to back three pointers from Billy Johnson forced a Regis timeout, as the Eagles jumped out to a 46-39 lead seven minutes into the second half. A barrage of threes gave CSC their biggest lead of the game 57-44 midway through the second half. The Rangers chipped away and fought their way back into the game capped off by a layup and a free-throw from Beisty, tying the game at 65.

RU and the Eagles went toe to toe in the final minutes of the game, trading baskets and free throws down the stretch. In the end, Regis would have one last chance with .5 seconds on the clock and down three points. The Rangers inbounded the ball to senior Kevin Marshall who threw up a prayer that sailed wide of the rim and ending the game.

Sienko led all RU scorers with 18 points, Beisty and N. King each chipped in 10 and Brodbeck finshed the game with nine points. Beisty also nabbed seven rebounds to lead Regis, followed by D. King and Sienko with four each. As a team the Rangers shot 48 percent from the field including 9-20 from beyond the arc. However, 14 three-pointers, and nine offensive rebounds leading to 15 second chance points from CSC ultimately decided the game. 

The men's basketball team will return to Denver to host two conference games next weekend. The first game will be held Friday, December 11 at 7 p.m. as South Dakota Mines comes to town. The Rangers will matchup with Black Hills State the following night, Saturday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the Regis Fieldhouse.