Gunnison, Colo.,   The Western Colorado Men's Basketball team conquers South Dakota Mines at home on Saturday afternoon by a score of 63-55.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Western Colorado University Def. South Dakota Mines 63-55
Records: Western Colorado overall 7-18 (RMAC 5-13) | South Dakota Mines overall 4-22 (RMAC 4-14).
Location: Gunnison, Colo. Paul Wright Gym

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It took two minutes for the first bucket to be scored, by junior Andrew Reichart 2-0. The Hardrockers were awarded a spot on the free throw line 2-2. Senior Kade Juelfs answered with two 4-2. A three gave SDM a 5-4 advantage.
• Buckets were traded, SDM keeping their one-point lead 7-6. Senior Nalik Veasley hit three consecutive layups, then sophomore Tyler Halligan sunk a three, putting the Mountaineers up 15-9.
• With under ten minutes left in the first half, WCU gained a 18-14 edge over SDM. A Hardrockers three put it back to a one-point game 18-17. Free throws and a tip-in by junior Jamel Hollins and a reverse lay by senior Spencer Wright extended the Mountaineers advantage 24-17.
• Juelfs hit a shot from beyond the arch, allowing WCU to go up by ten 29-19. The respective teams battle for the final few minutes of the half, but the Mountaineers maintained their 35-30 lead going into the locker room.
• South Dakota Mines put the ball in the basket, first, to begin the second half 35-32. It took about two minutes for another score to occur. Senior Amar Rivers went four-for-four from the free throw line, while SDM made a three 39-35.
• Freshman Dawlton Grant kept the ball alive after fighting for two consecutive offensive boards but a turnover allowed SDM to get a bucket 39-37. Junior Ty Buckmon hit a floater in the lane, the Hardrockers responded 41-39. An and-one play switched the lead, SDM 43-41.
• Back-to-back-to-back-to-back scores in the paint by WCU put them up 49-42. SDM finally put one away 49-44.
• With under five minutes to play, the Mountaineers led by four 52-48. Hollins found senior Trey Anderson on the parameter for three 55-48. The Hardrockers pushed the ball, hitting a floater 55-50. Hollins with a smooth move around his defender, allowed WCU to go back up by seven 57-50.
• South Dakota Mines kept fighting but the Mountaineer offense was too much for them to handle. WCU won the game 63-55.

 
COURT NOTES 

• Juelfs led the Mountaineer offense with 13 points, going 3-7 from the field, 1-3 from three and 6-6 from the charity stripe. Halligan followed with 10, going 4-5 from the field, 1-2 from three and 1-2 from the free throw line. Veasley finished with 9, Hollins and Rivers had 8 and Reichart earned 7.
• Buckmon recorded 3 assists, Rivers and Veasley had 2. Halligan was awarded 3 steals and Juelfs followed with 2. Five Mountaineers earned a block.
• Juelfs pulled down 7 boards followed by Anderson and Hollins with 6 then Reichart, Grant and Rivers with 5.
• WCU shot 42.9% from the field, 27.3% from three and 72.7% from the free throw line. The Mountaineers had 32 bench points, 34 points in the paint and 14 second chance points.

 
UP NEXT
The Mountaineer men's basketball team hosts Westminster University on Tuesday February 25 at 7:30pm for Senior Night.

For more information visit gomountaineers.com