by RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines men’s basketball team finished off their home schedule for the calendar year 2023 by taking on MSU Denver on Saturday night.
In an offensive showdown and withgreat games from both Alejandro Rama and Cameron Cohn the Hardrockers would battle with the #18 Roadrunners but ultimately fell by eight.
How It Happened
Early in the first half, MSU Denver was able to get out an 8-4 lead thanks to some strong play on both sides of the ball. The two teams would battle back and forth with the Hardrockers’ offense picking up its game and going into the next media at 18-17. MSU Denver would score 7 of the next 8 points, however, taking a 24-19 lead, until Cameron Cohn converted an old-school three-point play, cutting the deficit to two points with 9:15 to play. Another Cohn and-1 followed a jumper from Alejandro Rama, tying the game up at 27 with 7:13 to play. The two offenses would continue to score and answer each other. With 5:28 to play in the first half, the two were locked up at 32. A Rama jumper would give the Hardrockers the 34-32 advantage. A 5-0 run would expand the Hardrockers’ advantage to 42-38. Late in the half, MSU Denver was whistled for a flagrant 2 foul, leading to the ejection of KJ Garrett. Going into the half, the Hardrockers maintain a 46-44 lead. The Hardrockers were led by Rama in the first half, scoring 17 and adding six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Cohn added 14.
Early in the second half, MSU Denver would gather some momentum, taking a six-point lead, 55-49 into the first media timeout at 15:39. A 6-0 run would follow, in favor of the Hardrockers and would knot the teams up at 59. Rama would continue to stay hot, hitting a three to give him 24 and push the Hardrockers in front, 62-61. Brayden Maldonado would not be outdone though, immediately following with five unanswered. The MSU Denver offense would continue to hit shots, taking a 77-68 lead, their biggest of the game with just under nine minutes to play. Cohn would continue to hit shots, nailing back-to-back threes, giving him 31 for the game. That would be followed by a Frugoli three cutting the deficit to 4, 85-81. Later, a Kolton Frugoli three-point play tied the game at 87 with 2:02 remaining. MSU Denver would take an 89-87 lead. A Hardrocker turnover would lead to a Mario Lacy Jr. dunk and MSU Denver would leave with a 95-87 lead.
