RAPID CITY, S.D. --- South Dakota Mines men's basketball shot the lights out in the first half on their way to their first win of the season in an 84-72 victory over Texas A&M – Kingsville.
South Dakota Mines was able to get out a fast start in the first half thanks to some hot shooting.

The Hardrockers set the tone early in the first half getting a couple of three points from Alejandro Rama to jump-start a 10-0 run, putting the Hardrockers up 16-5. Later in the first half another big Hardrocker run of 12-0 gave them a 20-point lead, 49-29, heading into halftime.

In the second half, Kingsville was able to start with some momentum, cutting the Hardrocker lead to 51-40 at the first media timeout. They would continue cutting into the deficit, cutting it to 53-47 with just over 11 minutes to play. With 11:16 to play, the Hardrockers would hit a big 3, getting the lead back to 7. With the lead at 61-58, the Hardrockers would get four straight points from Kolten Mortensen to expand it to 65-58. Following that a flagrant foul was called on Kingsville. Brevin Walter would head to the line, hitting both free throws, expanding the lead once again to 67-58. Every time Kingsville cut it close, the Hardrockers had an answer. This time, Mortensen was fouled on a three-pointer, hitting two of three to push the lead back to 6. The Hardrockers would continue to expand the lead thanks to a behind the back pass assist and three-point play from Rama. The Hardrockers would finish up with the 84-72 win.

About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 11 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.