RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball home opener didn't exactly go as it was scheduled Friday night at the King Center.

The Hardrockers were set to play the Grace University Royals in a 6 p.m. tipoff. But thanks to a mid-November blizzard on the eastern side of the state, the Nebraska team was unable to make it to Rapid City in time for the game.

No worries.

The slot was filled by Johnson and Wales, who originally scheduled to play Presentation College in Aberdeen on Friday night. That game was also postponed. So after a little scrambling by the Hardrocker coaches and support staff, Friday's outcome had SD Mines defeat the JWU Wildcats, 81-75. 

Grace University is still on the ticket, and will get a crack at SD Mines Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m., at the King Center.

The Hardrockers had little time to prepare for JWU and it showed in the early stages of Friday's game as the visitors led by 13 points midway through the first period, but once the Hardrockers were able to settle into a rhythm, started to produce some points and chipped away at the Wildcats advantage. At the half, JWU led, 38-29.

"We didn't have a lot of prep for them but they didn't have a lot of prep for us so it was a two-way street there," said Hardrocker men's basketball head coach Jason Henry. "We didn't start the game out real well, but once we settled in and executed and did some of the things we are good at we took care of business in the second half."

The second half was much different. The Hardrockers offense was firing on all cylinders, cashing in from shots on the perimeter as well as underneath the basket. SD Mine outscored the visitors, 52-37 in the second half.

The Hardrockers finished the game shooting 56 percent from the field, connecting on 29-52 shots including five three pointers. They added 18-25 from the free throw line, came down with 32 rebounds, had 17 assists, three steals and three blocks.

Johnson and Wales made good on 29=59 from the field, including seven three-pointers, for a shooting percentage of .49. They went 10-16 from the foul line, had 22 rebounds, 15 assists, three blocks and three steals.

SD Mines senior Konor Kulas had an outstanding game with a double –double. The Appleton, Wis., native cashed in for 23 points and came down with 11 rebounds. Junior Brian Orr also played with 15 points and four assists. Senior Marco Pascolo contributed with 12 points and senior Jamall Taylor added 11 points and three assists.

"Coming away with a win was definetly nice but we have a long ways to go," Henry said. "We have to learn our lessons when we play and just be who we are. When we played together and did the things we were supposed to do on the offensive end we looked pretty darn good."
 
The win gives SD Mines its first of the season pushing the Hardrockers' overall mark to 1-2. Next up, the Hardrockers will square off with the Royals Saturday at 4 p.m. at the King Center.