RAPID CITY, S.D. – On Saturday, South Dakota Mines met Colorado School of Mines for the meeting of the mines in Golden.
As typical between these two teams of late, it was a battle for much of the game, until a 14-3 Orediggers run gave them a double-digit lead and they were able to carry that to the victory. With the loss, the Hardrockers fell to 9-13 and 7-9 in RMAC play while the Orediggers improved to 20-5 and 14-3 in a game that they never trailed.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first half, the Orediggers started a bit faster than the Hardrockers, taking an eight point lead, but South Dakota Mines would answer by outscoring their Colorado counterparts 8-3 over the next few minutes, cutting the deficit to three, 21-18. Later, back-to-back baskets by Cameron Cohn cut the Colorado School of Mines lead to two, 27-25. The Orediggers would expand it just a bit to go into the half, leading 33-27.
In the second half, it would be more of the same, but the offenses started a bit quicker with four straight points from Kolton Frugoli, giving him 13 for the game and making the score 44-40, advantage Colorado School of Mines. Frugoli was feeling it, hitting a three on the next offensive possession. He would continue to scorch, hitting another three, but foul trouble would start to creep up on the 'Rockers.
Alejandro Rama and Keagen Smith would sub out with four fouls with over 10 minutes to play, while Brannagh Walsh and Cameron Cohn were also carrying three.
With under 10 minutes to play, the Orediggers scored eleven unanswered, taking a 61-48 lead. From there, the Hardrockers' offense would grind to a halt, stuck under 50 for several minutes. A three by Majok Deng of the Orediggers expanded their lead to 67-53 with over four minutes to play and would eventually come away with a 71-65 victory.
NOTES
Kolton Frugoli led the game, scoring 21 points on the night…Cameron Cohn and Keagen Smith added 15 and 11...Frugoli added nine rebounds…South Dakota Mines was outshot and outrebounded on the night.
UP NEXT
The Hardrockers are back at home next weekend as they take on Regis and UCCS.
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
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.
