RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team ran up against a red hot shooting Western State Colorado University squad Friday night during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup at the King Center in Rapid City, S.D.

The Hardrockers tried to keep pace but fell short down the stretch as the Mountaineers held on for a 91-81 victory. The loss dropped SD Mines to 10-11 on the season and 6-9 in the conference while Western State improved to 5-13 on the year and 4-10 in the conference.

It seemed like Western State couldn't miss from the outside even with pressure on them. The visitors knocked down 16 three-pointers in the game and shot 46 percent from behind the arc. The Hardrockers, a team that is usually very accurate on the perimeter, were only able to convert 6 of 23 from behind the arc for 26 percent in the game.

The first half was pretty even on the offensive end. Western State was able to grab a slim four-point edge, 43-39, at halftime. In the second half, the Mountaineers broke the stalemate with a number of shots from downtown. The visitors established a double-digit edge midway through the second period, but the Hardrockers were able to regroup and got to within three before Western State mounted another run and pushed the lead back to double figures. The Mountaineers outscored SD Mines, 48-42, over the final 20 minutes.

The Hardrockers finished the game shooting 48 percent from the field connecting on 31-65 attempts, and were 13-16 from the free throw line. SD Mines grabbed 35 rebounds, 15 assists and four steals.

Western State tallied 30-59 from the field to shoot 51 percent and made good on 15-23 from the foul line. The Mountaineers recorded 29 rebounds, 17 assists, three steals and three blocks.

Individually for SD Mines, senior Konor Kulas led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds giving him his seventh double-double of the year. Senior Troy Whiteto, II tacked on 16 markers, six rebounds and a steal while fellow senior Jamall Taylor contributed with 13 points, six rebounds, six assists and a steal. Junior Brian Orr added 10 points.

The RMAC's top scorer Ben Beauchamp lived up to his billing, leading the Mountaineers with 35 points, (seven three-pointers) and Brady Subart dished in 12.
The Hardrockers will look to get back to their winning ways Saturday facing Colorado Mesa in a 5:30 p.m. bout at the King Center.