by RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines men’s basketball opened the new year taking on Fort Lewis, currently ranked #10 and #24 in the coach and media polls.
In a game in which the Hardrockers battled throughout, Fort Lewis was able to come away with the victory.
The Hardrockers got out to an early lead, 16-10 thanks to a seven unanswered early. Up 16-10, the Skyhawk would score 12-in-a-row before a three by Alejandro Rama would bring the Hardrockers within three, 22-19 with 7:50 to play. Throughout the remainder of the first half, Fort Lewis would continue to expand their lead, eventually going into the half up, 40-29.
Early in the second half, Cameron Cohn would start to get more aggressive scoring 12 points in the first 7-plus minutes to bring the Hardrockers back within six points. With an opportunity to close the game to within one possession, the Hardrockers missed a pair of free throws and Fort Lewis answered. That would be story through much of the second half as Fort Lewis would keep the Hardrockers at arms reach despite Cohn’s best efforts.
Late in the half, a technical foul whistled on Fort Lewis gave Cohn a pair of free throws, bringing the deficit to 5, 76-71. Guillem Garcia followed with a nifty drive to the basket, bringing the ‘Rockers to within 3. Obi Agbim would answer on the other end with a pair of free throws before Cohn would hit a deep contested three and with 48.5 seconds to go it was 78-76 Fort Lewis. With a chance to tie it, the Hardrockers turned the ball over and Fort Lewis hit a pair of free throws and that would seal the eventual,
NOTES
Cameron Cohn led the Hardrockers in scoring with 29, while Alejandro Rama and Keagen Smith were also in double figures with 16 and 10…Kolton Frugoli led the team in rebounding and assists, tallying 7 and 4.
