SPEARFISH, S.D. --- The opening Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game was all that it was billed to be for the South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team and the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets Tuesday night in Spearfish, S.D.

In a game that saw 10 lead changes, six ties and both teams shooting over 43 percent from the field on the night, it was the Yellow Jackets that earned the win, 70-66. The Hardrockers gave it all they had, but couldn't find an answer for a BHSU team that had an aggressive game plan.

The Jackets drove the lane often in the second half of action, converting 16-27 over the final 20 minutes and shot almost 60 percent in that stretch. They finished the game making good on 28-52 attempts for 53.8 percent.

But every time the Yellow Jackets would make a run, the Hardrockers were able to answer with some key shots throughout the final 20 minutes. BHSU held a nine point edge midway through the period, which SD Mines whittled down then BHSU jumped back up by eight points with just under two minutes remaining.

The Hardrockers were able to gain some clutch three pointers from Troy Brady, who score eight points down the stretch to pull SD Mines to within three points with 1:03 to play. But the visitors couldn't get over the hump as a final three-point attempt was off the mark. Two BHSU free throws were good with nine second left which gave the home team the edge for the RMAC victory.

BHSU led, 29-25, at the half and both teams cashed in for 41 points in the second half.

SD Mines finished the game shooting 43.4 percent, making good on 23-53 attempts and was 5-16 from downtown. The 'Rockers were 15-18 from the free throw line, grabbed 26 rebounds, recorded five assists, four steals and blocked four shots.

Individually, Mitchell Sueker paced the Hardrockers with 17 points, two rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal. Troy Brady finished the game with 12 points, one rebound, and two steals. Jack Fiddler had nine markers off the bench and Allec Williams, Logan Elers and Tristan Von Nieda all contributed with six points.