LAKEWOOD, Colo. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team earned a big win Friday night defeating the Colorado Christian University Cougars, 77-63, during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup on the road in Lakewood, Colo.

The Hardrockers fought their way to a 42-33 halftime lead and held off a Cougar rally midway through the second period to pick up their second conference win in a row. SD Mines led by as much as 14 points in the second half, before CCU whittled the lead down to four points. The visitors were able to regroup and push their edge back to double digits before the final buzzer.

The Hardrockers finished the game shooting 52.6 percent from the field hitting 30-57 attempts. They were 4-12 from the three-point line and a perfect 13-13 on free throws. SD Mines collected 34 rebounds, 10 assists, six steals and one block.

The Cougars made good on 23-54 attempts to shoot 42.6 percent and was 9-19 from beyond the arc and was 9-11 from the foul line. CCU came down with 25 rebounds, 14 assists, four steals and one block.

CCU had no answer for SD Mines sophomore Logan Elers who had a career night for his team. He cashed in for 25 points and came down 11 rebounds for a strong double-double. He also came away with two steals and an assists.

Freshman Wilfred Dickson contributed with 14 points, senior Brian Orr added nine markers and junior Jacob Anaastasi added eight.

The win gives SD Mines a 4-3 overall record and 2-1 in the RMAC. Next up, the Hardrockers have a big challenge taking on the No. 6 national ranked Colorado School of Mines Saturday in Golden, Colo., at 7 p.m.