RAPID CITY, S.D. --- For the second time this season, the Hardrockers gave Regis a challenge, but for the second time were unable to pull out a victory.
Early in the first half, the two teams would battle, with the two teams locked at 7 at the first media timeout.
Alejandro Rama hit a three to give the Hardrockers a 10-9 lead with just over 12 minutes to go. Over the next few minutes, the two teams would battle and trade leads, with Regis getting a slight advantage, 13-10, eventually expanding it to with a Will Cranston-Lown three to 19-12 at a timeout with 7:36 to go. Ale Rama would avoid a defender to hit a layup, cutting the deficit to 21-14. The Hardrockers would continue to fight and battle, cutting the deficit to 23-19 on a
Brevin Walter jumper before an Alex Cartwright three would expand it back to 7 in favor of Regis. Another Walter three moments later cut the Regis deficit to 2, 26-24 and Regis would again get an answer from Cranston-Lown.
To start the second half, Walter would hit a three and get fouled in the process to cut the Ranger lead to 2, 30-28. Moments later
Kolton Frugoli would hit a three, followed by a steal and layup by Rama, giving the Hardrockers a 3-point lead, 33-30. Later, trailing by three Walter would continue his huge game, hitting a layup to bring the Hardrockers within 1, 43-42. The Hardrockers would continue to scrap and Walter would continue to play well hitting 2-3 free throws, tying the game up at 46. The lead would be brief with Regis' answering and Walter answering once again, this time with a three-pointer, giving the Hardrockers a 49-48 lead. The Hardrockers wanted this one evidenced by Frugoli diving onto the floor to gain possession and call a timeout with 7:46 to go. The two teams would continue to battle, with Regis leading by 1, 56-55 with 3:46 to play. With 1:57 to go and South Dakota Mines trailing by 4,
Brannagh Walsh would hit a pair of free throws. The Hardrockers would not be able to get closer than that, falling 66-59.
The postgame interview with head coach
Eric Glenn is below.
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 14 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.
