RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines Men's Basketball is back in action this weekend at Western Colorado and Westminster.

Series History

Western Colorado is 8-6 all-time against South Dakota Mines. After the Hardrockers won at home last season, the Mountaineers won 63-51 in Gunnison on Feb. 22, 2025. The last Hardrockers win in Gunnison was an 84-79 victory on Jan. 5, 2019.

South Dakota Mines holds a 6-5 all-time record against Westminster. The Hardrockers are on a three-game winning streak against the Griffins, with their last loss on Feb. 3, 2022, in Salt Lake City.

About the Mountaineers

Western Colorado holds a 5-11 record and 3-5 RMAC record. They have lost six straight games, their last win coming on Dec. 13 against Regis. Last week, they fell to Colorado Mesa and Westminster.

Aidan McDowell leads NCAA DI, DII and DIII with 26.8 points per game this season. He is shooting 49.8% from the field, 40.4% from three-point range and 89.9% at the free throw line. Tyler Halligan is averaging 5.8 rebounds per game to lead the team.

About the Griffins

Coming into the weekend, Westminster is 7-9 overall and 2-6 in the RMAC. Before their win over Western Colorado on Saturday, they lost six straight games dating back to Dec. 4. In their 79-62 win over the Mountaineers, four different players scored 11 or more points.

Colin Hayes is averaging 12.5 points per game on 49.6% field goal shooting and 52.4% three-point shooting. Michael Frazier 11.9 points and 6.4 rebounds so far this season. Westminster's three-point shooting percentage of 38% is first in the conference and 24^th in NCAA DII.  

About the Hardrockers

South Dakota Mines has won six of their last eight games, dating back to Dec. 6, guiding them to an 8-8 overall record and 5-3 RMAC clip. Last weekend, the Hardrockers fell to Fort Lewis, but dominated Adams State 87-67. Six different players scored 10 or more points for the Hardrockers, including 21 from Ryan Sweeney. Jason Lee and Gray Thompson both had double-doubles against the Grizzlies.  

Lee leads South Dakota Mines and is third in the RMAC with 18.4 points per game. Thompson has 10.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game for the Hardrockers. Sweeney's 51.7 field goal percentage is first on the team and seventh in the RMAC. The team 36.5 three-point percentage is fourth in the RMAC so far this season.

Weekend Information

Jan. 22: South Dakota Mines at Western Colorado at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Paul Wright Gym
Live Coverage: Livestream | Live Stats

Jan. 24: South Dakota Mines at Westminster at 3 p.m.
Location: Behnken Field House
Live Coverage: Livestream | Live Stats

What's Next

The Hardrockers will come return home on Jan. 29 to face Chadron State at 7:30 p.m. After that game, they will go on the road for three straight games, starting with Black Hills State on Jan. 31.