by PUEBLO, Colo. — The men’s basketball team from South Dakota Mines took on CSU Pueblo in Pueblo on Friday night. In a low-scoring matchup, the Hardrockers were not able to come away victorious.
How it Happened – Early in the first half, CSU Pueblo got out to a lead of 11-4 as the Hardrocker offense started slow. Keagen Smith hit a three cutting, the Thunderwolves’ lead to four, 11-7. With just over four minutes to play in the first half, a pair of free throws by Alejandro Rama would cut the Hardrocker deficit to two, 23-21. CSU Pueblo would follow that with a 13-1 run, including a buzzer-beater, taking a 36-22 lead into halftime.
Early in the second half, the South Dakota Mines offense would start to get going, but they couldn’t make up much ground, trailing 46-34 with 12 minutes to play. The Hardrockers would continue to fight, getting a pair of free throws from Brevin Walter followed by a Trase Olsen three, but the Hardrockers couldn’t shrink the deficit, with Isaiah Thompson hammering home a dunk and getting a free throw to convert an and-1. The Thunderwolves led 54-41 with just over eight minutes to play. Another Isaiah Thompson dunk gave CSU Pueblo a 15-point advantage, 64-49 with 4:52 to play. South Dakota Mines was not able to narrow the deficit, falling 67-54.
Notes – Alejandro Rama led the team, scoring 17 points…Brevin Walter grabbed eight rebounds and dished four assists, both team-highs…Walter added 12 points, while Keagen Smith scored 10, adding three steals.
