Hardrockers stave off Beaver rally for second consecutive DAC win

 

By Brad Blume

Sports Information Director

RAPID CITY --- After enjoying a somewhat comfortable lead for a majority of the game, the South Dakota School of Mines men’s basketball team was able to stave off a late rally from the Minot State Beavers and hold on for an 87-86 Dakota Athletic Conference win, Friday night at the King Center in Rapid City.

With about five minutes to play, the Beavers kept chipping away at a 10-point Hardrocker edge. The visitors tied the score, 79-79, with just over two and a half minutes to play and both squads slugged it out from there. Minot State then took its first lead of the half on a pair of Matt Witwer free throws, but the Hardrockers were able to keep pace.

After a couple of exchanges up and down the court, South Dakota Mines freshman Michael Ross gave the home team a two-point edge on a clutch three-pointer with a minute to play, as the ‘Rockers held a 85-83 edge.

The Hardrockers increased the lead to four on the next two possessions, getting one of two free throws from Ross and fellow freshman Scott May.

With five ticks remaining, SDM was up, 87-83.

Minot States’ Aaron Patterson then hit a desperation three-pointer as time expired, giving SD Mines their second win in a row and improving their record to 6-14 on the season and an impressive 3-3 in the conference. Minot slips to 10-9 on the season and 4-2 in the DAC.

“It was a huge win for us,” said Hardrocker head coach Jason Henry. “We are sitting in a good spot (in the conference). Minot came in as the No. 1 team in the DAC.”

It was an all around effort for the Hardrockers as five SDM players reached double figures in the bout.

Freshman A.J. Trennepohl led the way with 20 points (6-9 from three-point line), followed by 14 markers from junior Donny DeGooyer and freshman Brent Cass. Junior Brandon Smith contributed for the ‘Rockers with a 13-point effort.

“It’s been like that all season long. We don’t have one guy (to rely on) --- it’s a team effort,” Henry said. “Brandon Smith wasn’t even going to play tonight and then goes in for a couple minutes and hits six of six and end up scoring 13 for us.”

For the Beavers, CJ DeWitty paced his team with 23 points, followed by Patterson’s 21. Joe Gathings dropped in 17 and Witwer added 11 for MSU.

The Hardrockers shot an impressive 60 percent from the field hitting 16-28, while Minot kept pace going 15-26 for 58 percent.

“They shot the three very well,” Henry said of Minot. “They are so good offensively. Then we shoot 60 percent. I think you have a chance to win anytime you can do that.

Next up SD Mines squares off against Dickinson State Saturday at 6 p.m. while Minot travels to Spearfish to take on Black Hills State.