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Christian Brothers University Athletics

MBB Thompson
75
Christian Brothers CB 2-1,0-0 Gulf South
78
Winner Northeastern St. NE 3-3,0-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Christian Brothers CB
2-1,0-0 Gulf South
75
Final
78
Northeastern St. NE
3-3,0-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Christian Brothers CB 24 51 75
Northeastern St. NE 34 44 78

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | James Garcia, Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications

Christian Brothers comes up short in tightly-contested matchup with Northeastern State

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Christian Brothers University men's basketball (2-1) faced a tough road test against Northeastern State (3-3) on Saturday afternoon, falling just short in a tightly contested game at the NSU Event Center. The 78-75 defeat came despite an inspired second-half performance that showcased the Bucs' determination and offensive capabilities.

First Half Struggles:

Christian Brothers got off to a slow start, managing just 24 points in the first half compared to Northeastern State's 34. The team struggled to find offensive rhythm, shooting just 40.7 percent from the field and only 16.7 percent (1-of-6) from beyond the arc. Turnovers were a key issue, as the Bucs committed eight in the opening 20 minutes, allowing Northeastern State to capitalize with 12 points off turnovers.

Defensively, CBU was outmuscled on the boards, giving up seven offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points for the Riverhawks. Despite these challenges, standout moments included Christian Thompson's blocked shot that energized the defense and Kyler Mann's six points, including a fast-break dunk off a steal by Thompson, that kept the game within reach.

Second Half Resurgence:

The second half was a tale of redemption for Christian Brothers. The Bucs erupted for 51 points, shooting an impressive 61.3 percent from the field (19-of-31) and 66.7 percent (4-of-6) from three-point range. CBU attacked the paint relentlessly, scoring 28 points inside and grabbing nine offensive rebounds to create second-chance opportunities.

Christian Thompson led the charge with 19 points, including key baskets in the paint. He also contributed on the boards with seven rebounds. Kyler Mann had an all-around game, scoring 14 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out five assists. Jailen Anderson provided offensive spark with 13 points and two clutch three-pointers, while Iman Kheirati was a force on the glass, hauling in 14 rebounds to go along with his 11 points for a double-double.

The team's ability to force turnovers and create fast-break opportunities was another highlight. Christian Brothers recorded 10 steals, which they converted into 14 fast-break points. The Bucs' defensive pressure was particularly effective in the second half, as they limited NSU to just three offensive rebounds.

Key Runs:

  • Northeastern State's First-Half Surge (7:00–3:00): In the first half, Christian Brothers kept the game close early but allowed a 14-4 run midway through the half that gave Northeastern State a double-digit lead. This run featured aggressive plays in the paint and sharp three-point shooting by Bryson Smith and Trey Phipps.
  • Christian Brothers' Second-Half Opening Run (20:00–15:30): The Buccaneers opened the second half on a 10-3 run fueled by Kyler Mann and Jailen Anderson, who combined for several critical baskets in the paint and on fast breaks. This run cut the lead to 37-34 and set the tone for a competitive second half.
  • Christian Brothers' Late Push (8:00–3:00): Trailing 62-55, Christian Brothers mounted a 15-6 run that brought them within a single possession at 71-70. Key contributors during this stretch included Christian Thompson with back-to-back layups and Anderson's clutch three-pointer.

Key Statistical Comparisons:

  • Field Goal Shooting: Christian Brothers improved significantly in the second half, finishing the game shooting 51.7 percent (30-of-58), compared to Northeastern State's 47.5 percent (29-of-61).
  • Points in the Paint: The Bucs dominated the interior, scoring 46 points in the paint versus 34 for the Riverhawks.
  • Turnovers: Turnovers remained a concern as Christian Brothers committed 17, leading to 24 points for Northeastern State. This proved to be a critical factor in the outcome.

Game Deciding Moments:

Despite their strong second half, the Bucs could not overcome a few key plays down the stretch:
  1. The Riverhawks' clutch three-pointers, including Trey Phipps' deep shot early in the second half, helped maintain their lead.
  2. Missed opportunities, including two critical turnovers in the final minutes, thwarted the CBU's chance to tie or take the lead.
  3. Northeastern State's edge in free throws (13-of-17 compared to Christian Brothers' 10-of-16) proved decisive in the tightly contested matchup.

Takeaways:

This game highlighted Christian Brothers' potential as a team capable of high offensive output and defensive pressure. The resilience the Bucs displayed in the second half, particularly in scoring and rebounding, indicates room for growth and optimism for the remainder of the season.

As Christian Brothers moves forward with its winning record still intact, this narrow defeat against a strong Northeastern State squad provides both lessons and motivation for future contests. The Bucs will look to build on their second-half performance as they prepare for upcoming non-conference matchups.
 
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