RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of mines men's basketball team rallied back from a 21-point deficit and played a tremendous second half to defeat New Mexico Highlands, 101-94, Friday night during a critical Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup at the King Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Things started very differently for both squads  as New Mexico was red hot from the perimeter, while the Hardrockers had difficulty getting shots to fall. The Cowboys kept sinking three-pointers, and before the 'Rockers could dig their heels in, the Cowboys led, 37-16, with 10:13 to play in the first half.

A Hardrocker rally which erased the enormous deficit down to four points at the first-half buzzer had the Cowboys limping into halftime, 55-51.

New Mexico Highlands maintained its advantage in the early goings of the second half, leading by as many as seven points at different times. But an intense Hardrocker offense which really found its groove once the second period got underway was finally able to knot the bout at 86-86 with just under six minutes remaining in the game.

Troy Brady delivered a clutch three-pointer with 42 second remaining to go up, 95-91, and then the 'Rockers hit free throws down the stretch to earn one of the greatest comebacks in Hardrocker history.

SD Mines finished the night shooting 58.3 percent from the field, making good on 35-60 attempts, including 12-25 from downtown. They hit 19-23 free throws, tallied 30 rebounds, 18 assists, seven steals and one blocked shot.

The Cowboys finished converting 34-62 baskets, including 14-31 from three-point range. They were 12-16 from the foul line, had 29 rebounds, 11 assists and three steals.

Individually, Allec Williams played the entire game as he cashed in for 28 points, six rebounds, three steals and six assists. Mitchell Sueker contributed with 22 points, 11 rebounds and one assist. Damani Hayes and Troy Brady both dished in 12 points, and Logan Elers tacked on 10 markers in the winning effort.