Rapid City, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball will be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, this weekend for the East vs. West Challenge at the Sanford Pentagon.

The first game is set for Friday at 6:30 pm as the Hardrockers take on the Augustana University (2-1) Vikings.

Augustana University has played three games so far this season, winning their first against Southern Arkansas, 75-67, followed by a loss to Henderson State, 83-77; and most recently defeated Chadron State, 83-69, in Nebraska.

Overall, the Vikings will come into Friday's game with four players averaging double figures, including a team-high 21 points per game from Tyler Riemersma. Riemersma, who is a transfer from Div. I Navy, is knocking down 62 percent of his shots, and also leads the team with 7.7 boards per game. Matt Cartwright - one of the three returners from 2017-2018 - is averaging 8.3 points per game, but his ability to allow his teammates to get open is just as impressive.

Although their season is just three games in, Augustana is already showing their ability to play unselfish basketball. The Vikings are averaging 17 assists on 27 made field goals per game, which ranks third in the NSIC. Augustana has also found success in taking care of the basketball. The Vikings 1.68 turnover ratio (52 assists to 31 turnovers) is 3rd in the Northern Sun.
 
On Saturday the Hardrockers will face off against Northern State University (1-1) (a program they haven't seen since the 1986-87 season). Last weekend Northern State played two Top 10 opponents.

In their first game they played No.5 Northwest Missouri State, who defeated the Wolves, 72-70, in OT. Northern State's second game came against No. 7 Queens University, where Northern bounced back for an 87-74 victory.

Northern enter the weekend averaging 78.5 points, 41.0 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 12.0 turnovers, 4.5 steals, and 5.0 blocks per game, while shooting 47.4 percent from the floor, 41.7 percent from the 3-point line, and 69.0 percent from the foul line. They are out-scoring their opponents by 5.5 points and out-rebounding their foes by 1.5 boards per game.

Ian Smith leads four averaging double figures, notching 14.5 points per game, as well as a team high 7.0 assists per game. Parker Fox is leading the team off the bench notching 12.5 points per game, and a team high 8.0 rebounds per game. He tallied career highs in points (14) and rebounds (12) versus NWMSU. Andrew Kallman was potent from beyond the arc in the season opening weekend, shooting 85.7 percent with a team high six made 3-pointers. 

The Hardrockers got off to their most impressive start as a Div. II program as they won both of their opening weekend games, defeating Texas A&M Kingsville, 80-71 in OT and then dominating Texas A&M International, 68-42 on Saturday night.

SDSMT is shooting 46 percent from the field and has three Hardrockers in doubles figures with Jake Heath leading the way at 15.5 points per game. Mitchell Sueker leads the programs with 6 rebounds per game and is also averaging 6 points per game.
SD Mines is averaging 74.0 points, 29.5 rebounds, 14.5 assists, 15.5 turnovers, 10.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game to open the season.

Although just 12 of the 16 RMAC teams have hit the hardwood, the SDSMT defense leads the conference allowing just 56.5 points per game. In two games, opponents are shooting just 34 percent (38/111) against the Hardrockers.