RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines basketball team battled with CSU Pueblo to an overtime, where the Hardrockers emerged victorious, 81-76.
How it Happened – In the first half, the Hardrockers continued their recent offensive performance, scoring 39 points in a back-and-forth half between them and the Thunderwolves, going into the break with a 39-33 lead.
Early in the second half, the two teams would continue to go back and forth. Just before the timeout
Alejandro Rama threw down a putback dunk in his 2022-23 debut, giving the Hardrockers a 46-41 lead with 15:44 to play. The Hardrockers would extend their lead to eight on a
Jaxon Lloyd basket with under 13 minutes to play, but the Thunderwolves would continue to keep it close with a four-point possession on baskets from Lian Romaro and Meekness Payne. A five-minute scoreless stretch would coincide with an 11-0 CSU Pueblo run to give the Thunderwolves a 55-52 lead.
Trase Olsen finally broke a 6-minute scoreless stretch, but CSU Pueblo would continue to hold the momentum going into the five media timeout with a 5-point, 63-58 lead. A
Kolten Mortensen three with 1:34 to play would cut the deficit to 66-63. A layup and fadeaway jumper from
Brevin Walter would give the 'Rockers a one-point lead with 48 seconds to go. Lian Romero would hit a free threw to tie it and they would go to overtime.
With 1:40 remaining, the Hardrockers would call a timeout, trailing 72-70 and
Brevin Walter earned a trip to the free throw line, tying it up. On the other end,
Kyle Harris would take a charge getting the ball back into the Hardrockers and
Brevin Walters hands for another bucket. Two free throws by Meekness Payne would tie it up once again, only to see Walter hit two free throws on the other end, making the score, Hardrockers, 76-74 with 28.5 to play. Once again, CSU Pueblo would go to the free throw line, tying it up and again,
Brevin Walter would drive to the basket and hit it with 6.2 seconds to play. The Hardrockers would get a defensive stop, two more point on a technical and two more free throws to win it, 81-76.
Game Notes – Walter scored 34 points to lead the team and added 12 rebounds…Frugoli led the team with 3 assists.
Up Next – The Hardrockers take on New Mexico Highlands Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. before a two week break.
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 10 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.
