by RAPID CITY, S.D. — The South Dakota Mines men’s basketball team finished their home opening weekend with a matchup against Texas A&M International.
Unlike Friday’s matchup, which was a low-scoring defensive battle, this one was higher-scoring with good shooting, especially from the Hardrockers who emerged victorious.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hardrockers got out to an early lead, expanding it to 11-5 after a steal and dunk in transition by Alejandro Rama who had a big game. Later, Rama would hit a three, expanding the lead to 9, 18-9, The Hardrockers would continue to shoot it well and expand on that lead, going up 39-15 after a Cameron Cohn three, eventually going into the half with a 41-28 lead.
South Dakota Mines would not ease up any early in the second half, scoring seven of the first nine points, expanding the lead to 18. A jumper by Rama followed by a Cohn three and another Rama three would give SDM a 60-38 advantage with just under 14 minutes to play. Back-to-back baskets by Keagen Smith later gave them a 26-point lead. Texas A&M International would fight back, cutting the Hardrockers’ advantage to 16, 71-55, but that would be the closest it would get. The lead would grow back to 20, prior to wholesale substitutions, and eventually would end with the Hardrockers getting an 84-66 win.
