GOLDEN, Colo. --- The South Dakota Mines men's basketball team fought and clawed their way back into the game against #8 Colorado School of Mines but were unable to finish it, falling 68-61.
How it Happened – To begin the game, the Hardrockers weren't able to find the bottom of the net, allowing Colorado School of Mines to get out to a 12-0 lead with 15:54 to go in the first half. Trailing 24-7, the Hardrockers would start to make a move, going on a 9-0 run with 7 points from
Brevin Walter. Going into halftime, the Hardrockers trailed 34-27.
In the second half, the Hardrockers would continue to fight, but with just over five minutes remaining, trailed 55-43 before an and-1 was converted by Walter to bring the deficit back to single digits, 55-46. Moments later,
Kolten Mortensen hit a three, cutting the Oredigger lead to seven. With 2:30 to go,
Kolton Frugoli would hit a tough turnaround fadeaway to pull the 'Rockers to within 5, 58-53. After a Mortensen three, cutting it to two, Adam Thistlewood would be fouled on the other end, sinking two free throws, expanding the Oredigger lead to four. After cutting it to two once again, Thislewood would convert an and-1. In the end, Colorado School of Mines would escape with a 68-61 victory
Game Notes – Brevin Walter led the team, scoring 23 points...
Kolten Mortensen added 20...Mortensen and Walter had seven rebounds each...Walter added four assists.
Up Next - The Hardrockers will be back in action tomorrow as they take on MSU Denver at 6:00 p.m.
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.
