RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team is looking to close out the final two games of the season on a high note when the Hardrockers travel to Regis University on Friday to challenge the Regis University Rangers and then head to Nebraska on Saturday for a final rivalry showdown with Chadron State.
 
The Hardrockers (7-18, 4-16) have taken their lumps this season. The roster has been shuffled several times throughout the year with key players missing significant time due to injuries and illness. As the final two games approach, it looks like SD Mines is getting back to early-season form and could close out the 2017-18 season with a couple of wins.
 
SD Mines Sophomore Logan Elers, a 6-foot-7-inch  New Zealander, and 6-1 freshman Troy Brady pace the Hardrockers with 13.4- and 12.1-point scoring averages, respectively.
 
First up this weekend is a rematch against Regis University Friday in Denver, Colo. The Rangers stole a victory away from the Hardrockers back on Dec. 16, escaping Rapid City with an 84-82 win. Regis, listed fifth in the most recent NCAA Div. II South Central Region poll, is sitting second in the conference standings with a 21-5 overall record and 15-5 mark in the RMAC.
 
The Rangers have rattled off nine straight wins, including an impressive victory over Westminster College last weekend, 81-72. For the Rangers, Christian Little and Avonte Nelms led the team with 19 points apiece in that game. Little added three boards and three assists, while Nelms collected three steals, two assists, and a board.
 
Dexter Sienko leads Regis in scoring this season averaging 14.6 points per game while teammates Jarret Brodbeck and Little are a close second each dishing in 14.2 ppg while Ty McGee adds 12.9 ppg.
 
The game is slated for a 7 p.m. (MST) tipoff and is available to watch free on the RMAC Network at: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/regis/ . Livestats will also be provided at: http://www.sidearmstats.com/regis/mbball/ .
 
The 'Rockers season finale will be held at Chadron State in Nebraska for the second consecutive year. The Eagles (3-23, 1-19) have had a rough go of it this season and head into the weekend on an 18-game losing streak. In an RMAC matchup back on Dec. 15 in Rapid City, SD Mines earned a 66-52 victory over CSC.
 
In their last two outings, the CSC men have led the UCCS, 45-32, at halftime and Regis, 34-20, at intermission and, 42-20, early in the second half before running out of steam and falling, 74-70, and 73-67, respectively. For Chadron State, Jordan Mills led all scorers with 21 points, collected seven boards, and an assist. Fellow Eagle Jeremy Ruffin narrowly missed collecting a double-double in the loss with 10 points and nine boards.
 
Saturday's game is set to start at 7:30 p.m. and is available to watch free on the RMAC Network at: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/chadron/ . Livestats will also be provided at: http://www.sidearmstats.com/csc/mbball/ .