LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team put up a great fight against the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's  No. 3 ranked New Mexico Highlands Cowboys Friday night in Las Vegas, New Mexico, but a late scoring surge by the home team, allowed them to squeak out a 95-82 win.

The Hardrockers, who fell to NMHU, 73-70, two weeks ago in Rapid City, did a much better job of handling the Cowboys' full-court pressure Friday, but the difference in the game was the home team's ability to convert on second-chance opportunities. The Cowboys racked up 16 offensive rebounds which netted them 22 points. Shooting 12-27 from behind the arch also aided in the win, hitting some clutch shots to sustain their momentum.

SD Mines trailed by just three points at the half, 44-41, but the Cowboys outscored the visitors, 51-41 over the final 20 minutes.

Despite the loss, the 'Rockers were on point all night with their offense, shooting 62.2 percent from the field, connecting on 28-45 attempts, including 7-11 from the three point line. They added 19-23 from the free throw line, came down with 32 rebounds, tallied 12 assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

New Mexico hit 34-69 buckets to shoot 49.3 percent from the field. They totaled 27 rebounds, had nine assists, 10 steals and four blocked shots.

The RMAC's Offensive Player of the Week, Mitchell Sueker, led the Hardrockers with 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot. Damani Hayes tacked on 16 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal while Logan Elers notched another double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. He added two assists and a blocked shot on the night as well. Troy Brady contributed with 10 points and Jacob Anastasi dished in nine markers.