CHADRON, Neb. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs erased a 20-point first half deficit to force overtime but couldn't complete the comeback in a 75-71 loss to Chadron State tonight at the Chicoine Center. TreShawn Wilford led the Mountain Lions (3-5, 2-1 RMAC) with 17 points against the Eagles (1-6, 1-2 RMAC).

The Eagles scored the first 17 points of the game on 70 percent shooting from the field in the first four minutes, 10 seconds, and expanded the lead to 20 points at 33-13 with 7:19 left in the half. The Mountain Lions were able to cut it down to a 13-point game at halftime with a pair of free throws from Wilford at 42-29.

UCCS scored six straight points to cut a 12-point Chadron State lead down to six points at 55-49 with 7:05 to play, and down to a possession less than two minutes later at 57-55 with a jumper from Wilford. Brandon Malone cut the Eagle lead down to one point at 61-60 with 1:58 to play and Jay Crawford grabbed the offensive rebound and tied the game with a layup at 63-63 with 1:14 remaining.

Chadron State retook a 65-63 lead with a minute to play and Blend Avdili tied the game with 44 seconds to play at 65-65. The Eagles turned the ball over on a shot clock violation to set up UCCS with the game-winning opportunity with 13.6 seconds to play. Malone had a three-point shot in front of the UCCS bench that bounced off the back of the rim, and Avdili had a shot at the buzzer that fell short as the teams headed to overtime tied at 65-65.

Wilford used a baseline jumper on the left side of the basket to provide the first UCCS lead of the game at 69-67 with 2:49 left in the overtime period, but Chadron scored the next seven points to retake the lead at 74-69 with 39 seconds to play. Ed Bourke brought UCCS within a possession on a layup with 26 seconds to play, but the Eagles converted on one of their final two free throws to push the lead back to four points at 75-71 with 18 seconds to play. UCCS took three, three-point shots in the final 15 seconds, but couldn't get any to score in the final 75-71 decision.

Wilford's 17 points were his most in a conference game since an 18-point performance in his freshman season against Adams State. He went seven-of-14 from the field and also led the team with seven rebounds and three steals. Avdili led the bench with 10 points while Malone and Crawford each finished with nine points.

UCCS will finish the road trip on Saturday with a 7 p.m., game at Regis in Denver. The Rangers (6-3, 0-3 RMAC) lost 72-70 to MSU Denver earlier tonight.