LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- South Dakota Mines led by
Brevin Walter used an early surge in the second half and held on late to gain the victory over New Mexico Highlands.
How It Happened –
Early in the first half, New Mexico Highlands got out to a 12-7 lead, thanks to 5 early from Sammy Barnes-Thompkins. Trailing 26-18, the Hardrockers would outscore the Cowboys 13-5, led by freshmen
Jaxon Lloyd and Bryce Sherell to tie it up at 31. The scoring would continue with New Mexico Highlands leading 50-47 at the half.
Early in the second half, a pair of
Brevin Walter free throws gave the Hardrockers their first lead briefly at 51-50 with 18:39 to play and that would be part of a 9-1 spurt to put South Dakota Mines up 60-53. The Cowboys would briefly cut it to 1 but led by Walter the Hardrockers would push it right back to 8. Sammy Barnes-Thompkins would help cut it back to a two-point deficit with just over 5 minutes to go, but another 5-point spurt from Walter giving him 30 for the night would slow their momentum and give the Hardrockers an 82-75 lead with 2:48 to play. New Mexico Highlands would make another push, cutting it to 84-83 with just over a minute to go but a Mortensen jump hook and block by Rama then an outlet pass to
Kolton Frugoli for a big dunk would seal it, the Hardrockers won 88-83.
Notes – Brevin Walter led the team, scoring 30 points and recording a double-double by also grabbing 30 rebounds…
Kolten Mortensen,
Jaxon Lloyd, and
Alejandro Rama were also in double-digits, scoring 14, 11, and 10 points. Rama and
Brannagh Walsh chipped in 8 and 7 rebounds…Rama also chipped in 4 assists.
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.
