RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The men's basketball team is on the road for a pair of games this weekend, looking to end their calendar
The Hardrockers are at CSU Pueblo Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in Pueblo, Colo., and at New Mexico Highlands Saturday at 6 p.m. in Las Vegas, N.M.
CSU Pueblo
Date/Time: Dec. 15 / 7:30 PM MT
Site: Pueblo, Colo.
Arena: Massari Arena
Series Overall: South Dakota Mines leads 7-4.
Streak: CSU Pueblo Won 1
Series at CSU Pueblo: CSU Pueblo leads 4-2.
Streak at CSU Pueblo: CSU Pueblo Won 1
Last Meeting: CSU Pueblo won in Pueblo, 67-54 (1/20/2023).
Watch Live: RMAC Network | www.rmacnetwork.com/sdmines
New Mexico Highlands
Date/Time: Dec. 16 / 6:00 PM MT
Site: Las Vegas, N.M.
Arena: John A. Wilson Complex
Series Overall: New Mexico Highlands leads 9-3.
Streak: New Mexico Highlands Won 1
Series at New Mexico Highlands: New Mexico Highlands leads 3-2.
Streak at New Mexico Highlands: South Dakota Mines Won 1
Last Meeting: New Mexico Highlands won in Rapid City, 82-80 (12/17/2022).
Watch Live: RMAC Network | www.rmacnetwork.com/sdmines
Rama Rises to the Top
Alejandro Rama is near the top of the conference in several categories. He averages 18.8 points per game to lead the team and come in fourth in the RMAC. In addition, he is 12th in assists, averaging 2.8 per contest, third in blocks (1.5/games) and tied for second in steals (2.2/game). Rama is also leading the team in rebounding with 5.3 per game, 14th in the RMAC. Ale is 17th in shooting percentage with 43.4% and ninth in three-point percentage (36.7).
Cohn Comes Through
Cameron Cohn has emerged as a top offensive option for the Hardrockers, averaging 15.8 points per game, ninth best in the conference. He is shooting 42.6% from the floor and 35.9% from three to each sit in the top 20 in the RMAC.
Smith is Solid
Keagen Smith doesn't average enough shooting attempts to qualify for the RMAC leaderboard but would be leading the conference in three-point percentage (50%) and in the top five in field goal percentage (52.6%).
Don't Forget Frugoli
Kolton Frugoli is also having a very strong season, averaging 12.2 points per game on shooting percentages of 41.1% and 38.1%. That three-point percentage would be eighth in the RMAC with qualification.
DEFENSE FIRST
The Hardrockers have played strong defense throughout the season. They are fifth in the RMAC in points allowed per game (70.5%) and third in three-point percentage allowed (29.0%).
1-2 Punch
The aforementioned Cameron Cohn and Rama were phenomenal last weekend. Cohn scored 48 over the two games, including dropping 32 on Saturday. He combined to shoot 48% from the field and 40% from three-point range.
Rama was no slouch, combining for 42 points himself on 50% (14-28) shooting. He also added three blocks and five steals.
Scouting CSU Pueblo
CSU Pueblo has turned around their fortunes a bit so far this year, starting with a 6-4 overall record and 2-2 in the RMAC.
CSU Pueblo averages 77 points per game to sit in sixth in the RMAC but are stronger on the defensive end, allowing 69.5 per game (4th RMAC) leading to a +7.5 margin, third best in the conference. They are the best in the RMAC in allowed field goal percentage and 40th in NCAA Division II.
Familiar name and South Dakota Mines graduate Brevin Walter is spending his final year of eligibility with the ThunderWolves and is doing what Hardrockers fans saw for years in getting to the free throw line and scoring points. Despite playing just six of their ten games, he is leading the team in free throw attempts with 50, converting on 86%. Walter is averaging 19 points per game.
Makiah Morris, Daeyon James and Armon Muldrew also score in double figures. Morris, James and Muldrew each shoot 40% from three-point range. Morris is also leading the team in rebounding with 6.1 per game.
Scouting New Mexico Highlands
New Mexico Highlands is 5-4 overall and 2-2 in the RMAC. They are coming off two straight losses against Fort Lewis College and Adams State University.
The Cowboys have three players averaging double figures in Kenard Richardson, AC Curry and Kyrie Thomas, averaging 10.9, 10.8 and 10.4 points per game. Ezichi Kalu leads the conference, averaging 9.2 rebounds per game which is also 28th in NCAA Division II.
As a team, they like to go fast as they are third in the RMAC, averaging 12.5 fastbreak points per game. Defensively, they allow teams to shoot 42.1% per game, fifth in the RMAC. They are one of the better rim protecting teams in the RMAC, averaging 3.2 blocks per game, second in the RMAC.
Looking Ahead
The Hardrockers do not play again until after the break, coming back in early January for a pair of contests against Fort Lewis and Adams State at the King Center on the 5th and 6th.
