RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team fell to the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys, 75-67, during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup Saturday afternoon at the King Center in Rapid City, S.D.

 After a 35-35 tie at halftime, NM Highlands was able to take advantage of a second-half Hardrocker scoring drought late in the game. The Cowboys managed to take the lead and pushed it to 11 points with just under two minutes to play in the game.

The Hardrockers clawed their way back and chipped the deficit down to three points, but clutch free throws kept the visitors out in front as they held on for the win. NMHU outscored the home team, 40-32, over the final 20 minutes.

The Hardrockers shot just 36.4 percent on the night, hitting 24-66 attempts, and were just 5-22 from the three-point line (22.7 percent). SD Mines converted 14-17 from the free throw line for 82.4 percent and came down with 37 rebounds, had 13 assists, seven steals and one blocked shot.

NM Highlands finished with 27-54 attempts for 50 percent, including 5-17 from behind the arc. The visitors recorded 35 rebounds, notched 10 assists, eight steals and four blocked shots.

Individually for the 'Rockers, senior Brian Orr had 17 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Sophomore Logan Elers tacked on 14 points and five rebounds while junior Jacob Anastasi and freshman Troy Brady both contributed with 10 markers.

The loss dropped SD Mines to 6-6 on the season and fall to 3-4 in conference play. Next up, the 'Rockers will challenge CSU-Pueblo Friday in Colorado followed by a rematch against the Cowboys next Saturday in Las Vegas, N.M.