Rapid City, S.D.,   The Western Colorado Men's Basketball team dropped road RMAC game to South Dakota Mines on Thursday evening by a score of 72-61.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: South Dakota Mines Def. Western Colorado University 72-61
Records: Western Colorado overall 6-10 (RMAC 4-5) | SDM overall 2-15 (RMAC 2-7).
Location: Rapid City, S.D. | King Center
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• It took a minute to kick things off, junior Jamel Hollins was first on the board 2-0. SDM earned a foul behind the arch, going 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. Junior Andrew Reichart tied the game after making a free throw 3-3.
• Two scoreless minutes passed until the Hardrockers knocked down a three 6-3. Second later, senior Amar Rivers finished around the rim 6-5. SDM responded, gaining an 8-5 edge. Senior Kade Juelfs cut their lead to one after sinking two from the line 8-7.
• The Hardrockers had the ball on offense, missed a layup but an offensive rebound turned into a slam dunk 10-7. Then SDM went on a six-point run, taking a 16-7 edge. Sophomore Tyler Halligan ended their run with a bucket 16-9.
• WCU was having trouble putting the ball in the basket, allowing the Hardrockers to record a 21-9 advantage. Juelfs ended the Mountaineers drought with a driving layup and a shot behind the arch 21-14. SDM with two consecutive baskets answered by Hollins with back-to-back layups 26-18.
• A jumper in the paint put the Hardrockers up by ten but senior Trey Anderson hit his first shot of the night which made it a seven-point contest 28-21. SDM took over the final minutes of the half, heading into the locker room with a 34-25 lead.
• Rivers hit a jumper to begin the second half. SDM put away two in a row to earn an eleven-point lead. At the opposite end, Hollins slammed the ball into the basket, followed by a fast break layup from Reichart 38-31. SDM extended their lead 45-31. Juelfs was fouled, scoring for WCU after a five-minute drought 45-33.
• SDM went up 49-37, with ten minutes left to play, after responding to baskets by WCU's seniors Spencer Wright and Nalik Veasley. The next five minutes scores were traded but the Mountaineers trailed 61-46.
• Rivers earned himself a spot at the line, adding two 61-48. A WCU turnover increased SDM's lead 64-48.
• The final minutes were a hard-fought battle, the Mountaineers earned critical baskets, but the Hardrockers did not miss. SDM takes the game 72-61

 
COURT NOTES

• Juelfs led the Mountaineers with 15 points, going 4-11 from the field, 3-7 from three and 4-5 from the free throw line. Junior Christian Still followed with 11 points going 4-7 inside the paint and 3-5 behind the arch. Rivers finished with 10, Hollins with 9 and Reichart with 7.
• Rivers ended with 3 assists while Juelfs, Veasley and Still each had 2.
• Hollins recorded 6 boards while Veasley pulled down 5 and Reichart with 3. Veasley and Still each earned a block.
• WCU shot 47.9% from the field, 30.4% from three and 53.3% from the charity stripe. The Mountaineers had 17 bench points, 5 steals, 15 points off turnovers and 30 points in the paint.

 
UP NEXT
Mountaineer men's basketball travel to RMAC opponent Black Hills State University on Saturday January 25 at 3pm.  
 
For more information visit gomountaineers.com