CHADRON, Neb. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team saw its postseason aspirations disappear Saturday night as the Chadron State College Eagles pulled an upset on the Hardrockers with a 75-67 decision in Chadron, Neb., during the final Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup of the regular season for both squads.

Heading into Saturday's bout, the Hardrockers were on the outside looking in to make the RMAC Shootout, which starts Tuesday. SD Mines needed to beat the Eagles and Adams State needed to lose to Westminster College along with New Mexico Highlands needing to defeat Western State.

As it turned out, none of that scenario played out as the Hardrockers' campaign came to close. SD Mines finished the season with a 12-16 overall record and posted an 8-12 mark in conference play.

In a similar situation from Friday night, the Hardrockers struggled to open the game while the Eagles jumped out to a strong start. SD Mines found themselves trailing by nine points at the half, 32-23.

The Hardrockers rallied back in the second half and tied the game several times over the final 20 minutes, but Chadron State hit some clutch three-pointers down the stretch to shock the visitors. SD Mines couldn't keep paced and came up on the short end.

The 'Rockers finished the game shooting 41 percent from the field hitting 22-54 shots, including six of 23 from the three-point line. They added 17-28 from the free throw line for 60 percent. SD Mines added 36 rebounds, seven assists, six steals and two blocks.

Chadron State (3-23) closed out the night making good on 23-57 attempts to shoot 40 percent from the field, including 9-21 from behind the arc. The Eagles made good on 20-28 from the foul line for 71 percent. The home team recorded 40 rebounds, nine assists, seven steals and one block.

The Hardrockers had four players reach double figures Saturday – all seniors.

Jamall Taylor led the way with 17 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal; Troy Whiteto, II, contributed with 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals; Marco Pascolo added 13 points and four rebounds; and Konor Kulas cashed in for 10 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals.

Chadron State had three players hit double digits. Myles Busby led the way with 21 points, Warren Gordon had 17 and Darius Polley posted 12 markers.

Kulas, who has been in the Hardrocker program for five years, ends his career at SD Mines as the No. 8 all-time scorer with 1,478 points (unofficially).

SD Mines loses six players to graduation. Along with Kulas, Pascolo, Taylor and Whiteto, Joe Newkirk and Tyler Schoening also finish their college basketball careers with the 'Rockers.  
 
The 2017 RMAC Conference men's basketball tournament field is set following Saturday night's action.

No. 18 Colorado School of Mines takes the one-seed following its 19-3 conference campaign. The Orediggers will host eighth-seeded Adams State in the quarterfinals. Tip off will be at 7 p.m. on February 28 in Golden, Colorado.

No. 14 Fort Lewis will be the two-seed in the tournament coming in with an 18-4 RMAC record. The Skyhawks host seventh-seeded UCCS in their quarterfinal matchup. Tipoff in Durango, Colorado is set for 7 p.m.

CSU-Pueblo comes into the tournament with the three-seed after going 17-5 in conference play. The ThunderWolves will host sixth-seeded Colorado Christian at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Regis claims the fourth-seed with a 14-8 conference record. The Rangers will host fifth-seeded MSU Denver at 7 p.m. on February 28.

The highest remaining seed following the quarterfinals will host the semifinals and finals of the tournament. The semifinal round will be played on Friday with the Finals taking place on Saturday, March 4.