PRICE, Utah — December 7, 2024 — The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) Coyotes faced a determined Utah State Eastern squad on Saturday afternoon, falling 74-58 in a gritty road matchup. Despite flashes of brilliance, particularly from standout guard LeRone Wright, the Coyotes couldn't overcome the sharp shooting and cohesive play of the Eagles at the Bunnell-Dmitrich Athletic Center.

This marked CSN's second loss in as many days, capping a challenging weekend in Utah.

First Half: Coyotes Struggle Against Eagles' Efficient Offense

The game began with Utah State Eastern establishing a commanding pace, opening with a 7-0 run fueled by an early three-pointer from Mark Reichner. The Coyotes had difficulty finding their rhythm offensively, with missed jumpers and turnovers stalling their initial efforts. Wright, however, broke through with a series of deep three-pointers, keeping CSN within striking distance. He tallied 12 points in the first half, going 4-for-7 from beyond the arc.

The Coyotes' struggles inside the paint were evident, as forwards Chase Jackson and Kadyn Koch combined for just three first-half rebounds, unable to counter the dominance of the Eagles' Jaxon Heiden. Heiden's commanding presence was highlighted by seven rebounds and six points before halftime, providing Utah State Eastern with second-chance opportunities and control under the boards.

David Estes provided a spark off the bench for CSN, scoring six points and securing five rebounds. Despite his efforts, the Coyotes shot just 28.2% from the field in the first half, compared to the Eagles' 53.6%. By halftime, Utah State Eastern held a 37-29 lead.

Second Half: Eagles Pull Away with Sharp Execution

The Coyotes opened the second half aggressively, with Jackson converting a jumper and Wright hitting another three to cut the deficit to 42-38 with just under 17 minutes to play. However, Utah State Eastern responded swiftly. Reichner, who finished the game with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting, nailed a key three-pointer to halt CSN's momentum.

The Eagles' offense continued to operate efficiently, with contributions from Ike Palmer and Heiden, who combined for 24 points and 13 rebounds. Palmer's ability to attack the rim and hit mid-range jumpers, paired with Heiden's interior scoring, proved too much for CSN's defense.

As the game wore on, the Coyotes struggled to maintain their energy and consistency. Turnovers plagued their efforts, with 14 giveaways leading to 17 points for Utah State Eastern. CSN's bench chipped in 19 points, led by Estes and Karson Roberts, but the team's 32.9% shooting overall hindered any chance of a comeback.

Wright continued to lead the charge for CSN in the second half, finishing the game with 21 points, including six three-pointers. Despite his heroics, the Coyotes were unable to close the gap, and Utah State Eastern extended their lead to as many as 24 points with under seven minutes to play.

Key Performers

• LeRone Wright (CSN): 21 points, 6-of-12 from three-point range, 3 rebounds
• David Estes (CSN): 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4-of-7 shooting
• Mark Reichner (Utah State Eastern): 17 points, 4-of-5 from three-point range, 3 rebounds
• Ike Palmer (Utah State Eastern): 16 points, 8 rebounds, 7-of-19 shooting
• Jaxon Heiden (Utah State Eastern): 11 points, 10 rebounds, double-double performance