RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines men's basketball team is on the road for the second straight week this week.
On Thursday, the Hardrockers battle with Colorado Mesa while Saturday's matchup is with Western Colorado.
GAME INFORMATION
Colorado Mesa
Date/Time: Feb. 20 / 7:30 pm
Site: Grand Junction, Colo.
Arena: Brownson Arena
Series Overall: Colorado Mesa leads 9-1.
Streak: Colorado Mesa Won 4
Series at Colorado Mesa: Colorado Mesa leads 5-0.
Streak at Colorado Mesa: Colorado Mesa Won 5
Watch Live: RMAC Network
Western Colorado
Date/Time: Feb. 22 / 3:00 pm
Site: Gunnison, Colo.
Arena: Paul Wright Gym
Series Overall: Series tied 6-6.
Streak: South Dakota Mines Won 2
Series at Western Colorado: Western Colorado leads 4-2.
Streak at Western Colorado: Western Colorado Won 1
Watch Live: RMAC Network
TURNOVER FREE BASKETBALL
South Dakota Mines does not turn the ball over and give up free points to its opponents as they average just 11.3 turnovers per game, the best in the league.
DEFENSIVE IDENTITY
South Dakota Mines has been strong on the defensive end all season long, allowing just 67.6 points per game.
That number leads the RMAC and is 31st at the NCAA Division II level.
TERRIFIC TERRY
Mac Terry scored in double figures in both games this past week, scoring 14 against Regis and 10 against MSU Denver.
TRE KEEPS GROWING
Freshman
Tre Dowdell continues to improve as the season progresses. He is the leading scorer, averaging 11.9 points per game, but he has averaged 13.7 points per game since the calendar flipped to January.
SCOUTING COLORADO MESA
Colorado Mesa is currently seventh in the RMAC and looking to solidify its playoff position after losing two straight. It is currently 12-12 (9-7).
The Mavericks are strong in the pain. They lead the league in blocks with four per game, are first in offensive rebounds per game (12.21), and are third in total rebounds per game (36.46).
Yaak Yaak is one of the top defensive players in the RMAC. He leads the league in blocks, averaging 1.79 per contest.
Ty Allred is the leading scorer for the Mavericks, scoring 14.9 points per game.
Will Mortimore joins Yaak in the top ten in the league in rebounding, averaging 6.8, while Yaak averages 6.1.
SCOUTING WESTERN COLORADO
Western Colorado is currently tied with the Hardrockers in the RMAC. Each has a 4-12 RMAC record, while the Mountaineers are 6-17 overall.
As a team, the Mountaineers rank seventh or worse in all stat categories among RMAC teams.
Jamel Hollins averages 6.2 rebounds per game, seventh-best in the conference.
Kade Juelfs is one of the top shooters from distance, hitting 2.55 per game at 42.4%.
Teammate Trey Anderson also hits two threes per game to sit in the top ten of the RMAC.
LOOKING AHEAD
South Dakota Mines wraps up its regular season with games against New Mexico Highlands and Fort Lewis on Thursday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Mar. 1.
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 and four associate members located in California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.
