GUNNISON, Colo. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team got a little revenge on Western State Colorado University Saturday night as the Hardrockers defeated the Mountaineers, 77-60, in Gunnison, Colo., during a very important Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup.

The win, which is the second straight for SD Mines, gives them a 12-14 overall record and they improve to 8-12 in the conference and keep their hopes alive for a post-season berth. The Hardrockers are currently in ninth place in the conference standings --- just a game behind Adams State, (9-11).

After a fairly even first half Saturday night, SD Mines went into halftime with a 33-30 lead. The Hardrockers used a stifling defense over the final 20 minutes to keep the home team in check while the 'Rocker offense knocked down a number of shots to pull away and earn the win. SD Mines outscored Western, 44-30, in the second half.

The Hardrockers finished the game making good on 30-65 attempts to shoot 46.2 percent from the field (6-23 from three-point range) and was 11-15 from the free throw line. The 'Rockers pulled down 40 rebounds (17 offensive boards), had 13 assists, 10 steals and one block.

"We had one if not our best defensive efforts of the season by both the bigs and guards," said Hardrocker men's basketball head coach Jason Henry. "To hold a team to 20 points under their average at their place is incredible."
 
Western State shot 40 percent from the field hitting 20-50 shots (just 3-16 from three-point range) and converted 17-21 from the foul line. The Mountaineers had 31 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and three blocks.
 
Individually, senior Konor Kulas recorded his 10^th double-double of the season with a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds, nine coming on the offensive end. Freshman Jake Heath was hot from the outside with 18 points (4-8 from beyond the arc) and recorded a block while freshman Logan Elers contributed with seven markers.
 
The Hardrockers will close out the regular season this weekend on the road traveling to Denver, Colo., for an important RMAC matchup with Regis University followed by a trip to Nebraska to face Chadron State College on Saturday.