RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines closed out the 2025 calendar year with an 89-69 victory over Bethany at the King Center.
The Hardrockers outscored the Swedes 47-37 in the first half.
Jason Lee drained two three-pointers to start the game for the Hardrockers. The Swedes took a 17-15 lead just over five minutes into the half. Lee and
Gavin Soukup combined for six points to give South Dakota Mines a 26-21 lead with 11 minutes left.
Abel Hutchinson made it 31-23 at the 8:36 mark. South Dakota Mines extended it to a 10-point lead after
Martin Poznanovic picked up five straight points with 2:23 left.
Gray Thompson landed a three-pointer with one second left to make the score 47-37 at halftime.
In the second half, the Hardrockers outscored Bethany 42-32 to win 89-69. Just over three minutes into the half,
Darren Wallace recorded a breakaway dunk to give South Dakota Mines a 56-39 lead. Poznanovic made it a 21-point game midway through the half. The Hardrockers would go on to win 89-69 over the Swedes.
Lee totaled 20 points, six assists and 8-for-11 field goal shooting. Hutchinson recorded 16 points and eight rebounds. Thompson picked up 12 points and seven rebounds, while Wallace had eight points and seven rebounds.
Fred Libby added seven rebounds, four assists and three points.
As a team, the Hardrockers had their most efficient game of the season. They were 51.4% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range. South Dakota Mines recorded 50 rebounds, 50 points in the paint, 17 assists and 29 bench points.
With the win, South Dakota Mines moved to 6-6 overall with their 3-1 RMAC record.
What's Next
The Hardrockers will take the rest of December off until their next game at MSU Denver on Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Following a contest at Colorado School of Mines on Jan. 10, South Dakota Mines returns home on Jan. 15 to take on Fort Lewis.
