RAPID CITY, S.D. – The men's basketball team at South Dakota Mines is looking to get back in the win column with a road trip to Colorado ahead.
 
On Thursday, the Hardrockers take on Fort Lewis, before heading to Alamosa for a matchup with Adams State on Saturday.
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
Fort Lewis
Date/Time: Jan. 16 / 7:30 p.m.
Site: Durango, Colo.
Arena: Whalen Gymnasium
Series Overall: Fort Lewis leads 9-4.
Streak: Fort Lewis Won 4
Series at Fort Lewis (Since 2015-16): Fort Lewis leads 3-2  
Streak at Fort Lewis: Fort Lewis Won 2
Watch Live: RMAC Network
 
Adams State
Date/Time: Jan. 18 / 3:00 p.m.
Site: Alamosa, Colo.
Arena: Plachy Hall Gymnasium
Series Overall: Adams State leads 7-6.
Streak: South Dakota Mines Won 1
Series at Adams State: Tied 3-3.
Streak at Adams State: South Dakota Mines Won 3
Watch Live: RMAC Network
 
DEFENSE FIRST
South Dakota Mines has been strong on the defensive end all season long.

They average allowing 69.2 points per game, fourth in the RMAC, and the MSU Denver contest recently elevated that number.
 
HANDLING THE BALL
Another strength of the Hardrockers is their handling of the ball, as they turn it over just 10.5 times per game. That number leads the RMAC and is 23rd at the NCAA Division II level.
 
EMERGING FRESHMAN 
Tre Dowdell, a freshman point guard from Chicago, Illinois, has taken some time to acclimate to the college game, but he has impressed recently and is now the leading scorer, averaging 10.9 points per game.
 
Dowdell has scored in double figures in four of his last five games, including a pair of 20+ point games against CSU Pueblo and MSU Denver.
 
CAPABLE ABEL
Abel Hutchinson is another Hardrocker who has increased his offensive contribution.

After averaging just four points per game last season, Abel has upped his scoring to 9.4 points. He has five double-digit games, including four of his previous six.
 
SCOUTING FORT LEWIS
After being one of the top programs in the RMAC in recent years, Fort Lewis has a new head coach but has still had a solid start. They are 9-6 overall with a 3-3 RMAC mark.
 
The Skyhawks force turnovers in a big way and get to the foul line at a high rate.
 
They rank first in the RMAC in turnovers forced per game, turnover margin, steals per game, free throws attempted, and free throws made per game.
 
Those numbers are all in the top 35 at the Division II level.
 
Biko Johnson is second in the RMAC, averaging 17 points per game, but he does it relatively inefficiently as he leads the RMAC in attempted field goals and shoots under 40%.
 
Chuol Deng grabs 8.2 rebounds per game, second-best in the RMAC.
 
Five Skyhawks are in the top 10 in the RMAC in steals per game, with Johnson leading the way with 2.21, followed by Malachi Coleman, Tru Allen, Stewart Erhart, and Cassius Carmichael.
 
SCOUTING ADAMS STATE
Adams State is 6-8 overall with a 2-5 mark in the RMAC.
 
The Grizzlies want to get out and run as they lead the conference and are top 10 at the NCAA Division II level in fastbreak points, averaging 19.71 points per game.
 
Forcing turnovers helps them get into those transition opportunities. They are third in the RMAC, averaging 15.36 forced per night.
Overall, they score 88.2 points per contest to lead the league.
 
Jude Tapia is their leader on offense, averaging 16.1 per night. Tapia is also second in the RMAC in three-point percentage and first in three-pointers made.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
After the road trip, the Hardrockers return home for three straight at the King Center, taking on Western Colorado, Westminster, and Chadron State on Jan. 23, Jan. 25, and Jan. 28.
 
You can find the latest on South Dakota Mines men's basketball all year long on X and Instagram (@hardrockermbb), and you can also follow 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.