RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team played a very competitive game against Regis University Saturday night at the King Center in Rapid City, S.D., but the Rangers managed to pull away from the Hardrockers down stretch and hand SD Mines its first loss at Goodell Gymnasium, 78-64.

It was a very tightly contested game in the early goings as each team traded buckets, but SD Mines had trouble in the latter part of the first half to get shots to fall through the hoop while Regis was able to convert at the other end. The Rangers held a seven-point edge at the half, 38-31.

It was fairly similar in the second half as the Hardrockers had a great offensive output in the early part of the period, but Regis again pulled away and were able to maintain down the stretch. The Rangers outscored SD Mines, 40-33, in the second half.

The Hardrockers shot 39 percent from the field, making good on 21-54 attempts, including six three-pointers, and were 16-18 from the foul line. SD Mines nabbed 30 rebounds, had 14 assists, five steals and one block.

The Rangers were 54 percent from the field, converting 29-54 shots, including eight three-pointers and were 12-14 at the free throw line. Regis recorded 26 rebounds, had 20 assists, 12 steals and four blocks.

Individually for the Hardrockers, senior Konor Kulas had an outstanding night with 23 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and a steal. Senior Marco Pascolo added nine points, four rebounds, one assist and a block and freshman Jake Heath contributed with nine points, one rebound, two assists and two steals.

Regis was paced by Jarrett Brodbeck with 23 point, 20 in the first half, Troy Anderson added 19 and Dexter Sienko dished in 14.

The loss drops SD Mines to 7-5 on the season and 3-3 in the conference. The Hardrockers are back in action Dec. 30 when the team travels to Las Vegas, N.M. to face New Mexico Highlands and then to Golden, Colo., Dec. 31 to face Colorado Mines.