RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team got hot from behind the arch in the first half and staved off a second-half Colorado Mesa rally as the Hardrockers defeated the Mavericks, 87-78, Friday night during a Rock Mountain Athletic Conference matchup at the King Center in Rapid City.

SD Mines connected on seven three-pointers in the first half and went into halftime with a 15-points advantage, 45-30. The Hardrockers continued their run in the second half and led by 19 points with 15:52 left in the game.

Colorado Mesa then went on a rally over the next 10 minutes and whittled the 'Rockers lead down to one point, 66-65. The 'Rockers were able to regroup and built back on their edge, thanks to some clutch jump shots and converted some clutch free throws down the stretch, earning their second RMAC victory in a row.

SD Mines finished the game shooting 54.5 percent from the field, making good on 30-55 shots, including 9-20 from downtown (45 percent). They hauled in 33 rebounds, 13 assists, six steals and two blocked shots and were 18-24 from the charity stripe.

Mesa was 29-61 and shot 47.5 percent from the field, including 6-21 from three-point range, converted 14-18 on free throws, had 30 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 steals and three blocked shots.

The 'Rockers saw six players reach double figures in the game. Mitchell Sueker led the way with a 21-point effort and added six rebounds, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot. Allec Williams cashed in for 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Troy Brady added 14 points, five rebounds, two steals and four assists. Logan Elers contributed with 12 points, Jack Fiddler added 11 and Wilfred Dickson dished in 10 points.