RAPID CITY, S.D. --- South Dakota Mines men's basketball faced off with the Rangers from Regis University on Saturday.
How it Happened – Early in the first half, it was a defensive battle, with the Hardrockers holding a one-point 10-9 lead with just over 12 minutes before a
Trase Olsen turnaround jumper expanded the Hardrocker lead to three. Later in the half, the Hardrockers would gain some momentum, going on a 10-4 spurt, taking a 24-16 lead with just over six minutes to play.
Early in the second half, Regis started with the Momentum, but the Hardrockers would battle back, going on an 8-0 run to take a 44-40 lead. The teams would continue to fight back and forth, with under five minutes to go,
Kolten Mortensen hit a three but would be answered by back-to-back David Simental three pointers to cut the Hardrocker lead to 63-61. Moments later, with the game tied at 63,
Brevin Walter hit a clutch three to retake the lead. With under a minute to go, Mortensen would connect a jump hook in the post, pushing the lead back to 3, 68-65 with 39.7 seconds to go. On the other end, South Dakota Mines would get a defensive stop, and the Rangers sent
Brevin Walter to the line where he would hit both. With 24.1 seconds to go, the 'Rockers held a 70-65 lead. Regis would not be done however, as Jasdeep Singh hit a three, then Regis picked up a steal with 8.4 left to go, down two, Regis had possession and would tie it up at 70 on a basket from Brayden Carter. A last second heave from
Brevin Walter missed and we would head to overtime.
Overtime started off well for Regis with a 5-point possession on a made three, and an off-ball foul resulting in two free throws. On the other end,
Keagen Smith hit a three. With 3:54 to go in the extra period, the Hardrocekrs trailed by three. With 1:35 to go, Walter hit a three, tying the contest at 78. Regis would hit a layup after a strip, followed by a three by
Keagen Smith, now the Hardrockers led 81-80 with 16.8 to go. Regis would again answer, with a two-point basket taking an 82-81 lead with just 5 seconds to play. The Hardrockers would inbound the ball to
Kolten Mortensen, handing it off to
Brevin Walter who would go the length of the court for a game winning layup.
Game Notes – Brevin Walter led the team, scoring 24 points, also leading in assists with 7 and grabbed 9 rebounds…
Kolton Frugoli grabbed 10 rebounds…
Trase Olsen scored double figures with 16 and
Keagen Smith added 14.
Up Next - The Hardrockers will be back in action against Colorado School of Mines and MSU Denver on the road next Friday and Saturday.
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.
