RAPID CITY, S.D. – After playing competitive games over the weekend against Minot State and UMary, the South Dakota Mines men's basketball team looks to get into the win column in rivalry week.
On Tuesday, the Hardrockers host rival Black Hills State before heading to Chadron State on Thursday.
GAME INFORMATION
Black Hills State
Date/Time: Dec. 3 / 7:30 p.m.
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Arena: King Center
Series Overall: Black Hills State leads 110-92.
Streak: South Dakota Mines Won 2
Series at South Dakota Mines (Since 1994-95): Black Hills State leads 18-12.
Streak at South Dakota Mines: South Dakota Mines Won 1
Tickets: Ticket Central
Watch Live: RMAC Network
Chadron State
Date/Time: Dec. 5 / 7:00 p.m.
Site: Chadron, Neb.
Arena: Chicoine Center
Series Overall: Chadron State leads 117-68.
Streak: Chadron State Won 4
Series at Chadron State (Since 1994-95): Chadron State leads 14-6.
Streak at Chadron State: Chadron State Won 1
Watch Live: RMAC Network
TERRIFIC TERRY
Mac Terry started the first two games of his career this past weekend, and the freshman delivered.
He combined to shoot 10-19 and 4-8 in the two contests from three-point range. On Saturday, the breakout included 15 points on 7-14 shooting, six rebounds and three assists.
SMITH HEATING UP
After a slow start to the season,
Keagen Smith, the Hardrockers' senior captain is getting warm as the weather gets colder. He scored 30 points this weekend on 6-11 shooting from deep and 10-19 overall.
REINALDA MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Jasper Reinalda has typically not seen much playing time in his career with the Hardrockers, but on Saturday, that changed as he played nearly the entire second half and logged a total of 23 minutes. Overall, he played 33 minutes this weekend, scoring eight points, blocking three shots, recording two steals, and grabbing 10 rebounds.
DEFENSIVE IDENTITY
Despite the Hardrockers' struggles so far this season, they have done a great job on the defensive end, allowing just 67.1 points per game, the second-best in the RMAC.
HOLD ONTO THE BALL
South Dakota Mines also does a good job of not turning the ball over, averaging just 12.4 turnovers per game, fourth in the RMAC.
SCOUTING BLACK HILLS STATE
Black Hills State comes into the King Center with a 4-4 record and has been very competitive in its losses.
Caelin Hearne, Cam Lowe, and Jaeton Hackley are developing into a dangerous trio, averaging 16.4, 13.5, and 11.3 points per game.
Lowe and Joel Speckman average 7.8 and six rebounds per game.
The Yellow Jackets play strong defense, averaging 3.6 blocks per game and allowing just 67.8 points per game.
Taking care of the ball is another staple of this Black Hills State team, as they turn it over 11.6 times per game.
SCOUTING CHADRON STATE
Chadron State has started the year with a 3-4 record, most recently defeating the University of Nebraska Kearney.
Offensively, the Eagles' scoring is diversified. Five players average between eight and 13 points, while Jalen Thomas and Trey Ballard are the two in double figures.
Thomas and Julio Phipps are the leading rebounders, averaging 5.7 and 5.1 per night.
The Chadron State bench averages 34.4 points per game, the third-best in the RMAC and 26th in NCAA Division II.
One of the squad's strengths is getting to the foul line. They get there the second most of any RMAC team and make the most, averaging 17.3 makes per game.
Offensively, they crash the glass, averaging 12.29 offensive rebounds per game, second-best in the league.
On the defensive side, they allow opponents to hit just 30.9% of their threes, which is third in the RMAC.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following the split week, the Hardrockers are on the road for a trio of games before the holiday break. They take on CCU and CSU Pueblo next weekend before an exhibition game against the University of North Dakota on Dec. 20.
You 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 Hardrocker 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
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology 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.
