KINGSVILLE, TEXAS --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team suffered a heart-breaking loss to open the season Friday night in Kingsville, Texas, falling to the Texas-A&M - Kingsville Javelinas, 70-69.

The Hardrockers, who led for almost the entire second half, couldn't fend off a late rally to drop the season opener. SD Mines trailed by nine points in the early goings of the game, but erased the deficit to lead by four a the half, 35-31.

The 'Rockers opened things up in the second half, leading by as much as 12 points, before TAMK used full-court pressure and some clutch shots down the stretch to reel SD Mines back in and with just under a minute, regained the lead.

With less than 10 second to play and trailing by three points, 70-67, the 'Rockers had one final opportunity to tie the game, but a three-pointer was off the mark. Damani Hayes had a put-back, but couldn't draw a foul as time expired.

SD Mines shot 40 percent in the game, connecting on 25-63 from the field while The Javelinas made good on 28-67 attempts to shoot 42 percent.
TAMK was able to convert 15 point off SD Mines turnovers and tacked on 16 more from second-chance opportunities.

The 'Rockers hit nine three-pointers in the game, and made good on 10-11 from the free throw line. They also hauled in 41 rebounds, notched 10 assists, three steals and one block. The Javelines hit five three-pointers, tallied 36 rebounds, 10 assists, seven steals and three blocks.

Individually for SD Mines, Wilfred Dickson pace his team with 15 points (four three's), six rebounds and one assist. Allec Williams contributed with 13 points, six rebounds, two steals and one assist. Troy Brady also had 13 points and three rebounds.