by By Luke Wheeler, Assistant SID
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The South Dakota Mines men’s basketball team earned a win over UCCS Friday night during the Hardrockers’ fnal game of the regular season defeateing the Mountain Lions, 84-71, at the King Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.
In the first half the Hardrockers jumped out to an early lead and kept up the momentum leading 23-10 halfway through the first half. The ‘Rockers extended their lead by 14 leading 37-23 with five minuets remaining. The Hardrockers kept up the hot shooting the rest of the first half going into the locker room up 45-32. Alejandro Rama (Oglala Lakota) was had the hot hand in the first half shooting 7-8 for 16 points. Brevin Walter chipped in 12 points.
The ‘Rockers increased their lead at the beginning of the second half by 18 and kept a comfortable lead for most of the second half. The Mountain Lions didn’t give up as they clawed their way back to within 6 late in the half. But the Hardrockers controlled the ball and made crucial free throws at the end to win the game 84-71.
It was a total team effort for the offense tonight as Walter scored 21, while Rama added 18 points. Kolten Mortensen contributed with 12 points and nine rebounds. Overall the Hardrockers shot 62.7% from the floor and 50% from behind the arc.
With the win the ‘Rockers are now 9-9 overall and in the RMAC.
