by Luke Wheeler, Assistant Sports Information Director
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The South Dakota Mines men’s basketball team completed the sweep of Black Hills State Saturday night with a thrilling 79-78 victory over the Interstate rivals.
Before the game Head Coach Eric Glenn honored the Hardrockers’ two seniors Wilfred Dickson and Trey Smith.
In the first half both, teams traded jabs until the ‘Rockers jump out to a 28-17 lead with seven minutes left in the half. The Hardrockers held the lead the rest of the half and went into the locker room up, 37-35. Dickson paced the ‘Rockers in the first half with 11 points going 3-5 from the field and 4-5 from the line.
The Hardrockers increased their lead by seven 48-41 during the first five minutes of the second half. The ‘Rockers hit a three-pointer to take a 10-point lead, 51-41. The Jackets fought their way back into the game, tying the game at 66 apiece with four minutes left. From there the lead changed hands till the end when Alejandro Rama (Oglala Lakota) put the ‘Rockers up one with a free throw. The Jackets had a last-second left to try and tie the game but they could not get the shot off in time.
Dickson saved his best game for senior night scoring 26 points to lead the ‘Rockers. Rama chipped in 16, while Keagan Smith added 12 and Kolten Mortensen scored 10.
Joel Scott scored 26 points to pace the Yellow Jackets.
The win gives South Dakota Mines a 6-4 overall and RMAC record.
