RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines men's basketball team opens the 2024 schedule with a pair of RMAC opponents, including a nationally ranked opponent in Fort Lewis.
On Friday, the Hardrockers battle with Fort Lewis with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m., before welcoming in Adams State on Saturday for a 6:00 start.
GAME INFORMATION
Fort Lewis College
Date/Time: Jan. 5 / 7:30 p.m. MT
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Arena: King Center
Series Overall: Fort Lewis leads 8-3.
Streak: Fort Lewis Won 2
Series at South Dakota Mines: Fort Lewis leads 4-1.
Streak at South Dakota Mines: Fort Lewis Won 1
Last Meeting: Fort Lewis Won in Rapid City, 80-69 (2/18/23).
Watch Live: RMAC Network | www.rmacnetwork.com/sdmines/
Adams State University
Date/Time: Jan. 6 / 6 p.m. MT
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Arena: King Center
Series Overall: Adams State leads 6-5.
Streak: Adams State Won 3
Series at South Dakota Mines: Series tied 3-3.
Streak at South Dakota Mines: South Dakota Mines Won 5
Last Meeting: South Dakota Mines Won in Rapid City, 91-71 (2/17/23).
Watch Live: RMAC Network | www.rmacnetwork.com/sdmines
ALL-AROUND PLAYER
In addition to leading the team in scoring (17.9 points per game, 4th RMAC), Alejandro Rama is shooting over 40% from the field, 35% from three-point range and is in the top five in the conference in blocks per game (1.3) and steals per game (2.2).
COHN FINDING RHYTHYM
It didn't take long for Cameron Cohn to adjust to new teammates and a new level and he has been on a roll as of late, posting 14 or more points in seven straight games, including back-to-back games where he posted 32 and 33 points. On the season, Cohn is averaging 17.2 points per game but has upped it to 21.28 in that seven-game stretch, shooting 45.9% over that stretch, including 41.7% from behind the arc.
AUTOMATIC FROM THREE
Keagen Smith has been lights out from distance thus far this season, hitting 22-47 to come in at 46.8%, a number that would lead the RMAC with qualification.per game. Smith is shooting 52.1% from the field overall and scoring 11.1 points per game.
ABEL IS ABLE
Redshirt freshman Abel Hutchinson has emerged after not seeing any court time in the first four games of the season. He has now seen 12 or more minutes in the past eight contests, averaging 20.4 over his past five games and drawing two starts. He has scored in double figures twice along with bringing energy and defense.
DON'T FORGET FRUGOLI
Kolton Frugoli is another experienced double-digit scorer for the Hardrockers, averaging over 12 points per game.
SCOUTING FORT LEWIS
Fort Lewis has had a strong start to the season as they are 10-1 and ranked in both of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (#10) and the D2CSC Media Poll (#24).
After 2022-23 star player Akuel Kot transferred to Division I Wyoming, there were some questions on who would step up for the Skyhawks, but offensively, they have not missed a beat. Four players average in double digits with Obi Agbim leading the way at at 13.5 per game along with Bradyen Carter, Junior Garbrah and Malike Whitaker. Six more Skyhawks are averaging over five points per game.
Brayden Carter averages 6.5 rebounds per game to sit in seventh in the RMAC and is first in blocks, averaging 1.6 per game.
As a team they lead the RMAC and are in the top 20 at the NCAA Division II level in scoring margin, scoring offense, steals per game, turnover margin and turnovers forced per game.
SCOUTING ADAMS STATE
Adams State is off to a slow start to begin the season, sitting at 3-8 overall and 1-4 in RMAC play.
Destan Williams and Austin Fadal are their leading scorers, averaging 15.1 points per game and 13.8 points per game.
While their offense is in the middle of the pack in the conference, their defense has been a weak point as they allow 84 points per game.
They are strong at the free throw line as they hit nearly 78% from the stripe, second best in the RMAC.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following this weekend, the Hardrockers are at home on Friday, January 12, taking on Western Colorado.
Fans can find the latest on South Dakota Mines men's basketball all year long on X and Instagram (@hardrockermbb), while also following on Facebook at South Dakota Mines Men's Basketball. The latest on South Dakota Mines athletics can be found by following us on X at @GoHardrockers, hardrockerathletics on Instagram and Hardrocker Athletics on Facebook.
ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA MINES
South Dakota Mines is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 13 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.
