Reserve gives Hardrockers a lift over Saints

By Journal staff Monday, December 03, 2007

ABERDEEN — South Dakota Mines shot 53.1 percent from the field and recorded an 82-72 win over Presentation during non-conference men’s college basketball action at the Strode Center.

The Hardrockers went 26-for-49, including 5-of-13 from 3-point range.

Redshirt freshman A.J. Trennepohl scored a game-high 24 points off the bench for the Hardrockers. He went

7-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-8 from downtown, and 6-for-7 from the free-throw line.

It was Trennepohl’s third consecutive game with at least 18 points, and he has hit 17 treys over that stretch.

Robbie Fedor added 16 points for Mines, and post player Brandon Smith notched 15 points and seven rebounds. Donny DeGooyer recorded six points, seven boards and a team-high three assists.

The Saints led early, before the ‘Rockers got things going. After trailing 16-14 with 13:02 remaining in the first half, Mines closed out strong to take a 38-25 lead at intermission.

Presentation could not quite get over the hump in the second half. The Saints got within four points — 65-61 — after a put-back by Richie Ward with 4:30 remaining.

A pair of free throws by Donny DeGooyer and a jump-shot by Brandon Smith put Mines back up by eight —

69-61 — with 3:26 to go.

Presentation got within five again at the 2:20-mark, but the ‘Rockers responded with an 8-0 run to take a 77-64 lead and seal the game with under a minute to go.

Ward had a double-double for Presentation with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Reserve Michael Babcock added 12 points, and Jason Heien and Jared Koopman had 10 apiece.

Presentation (1-3) shot 42.9 percent (24-for-56) from the floor.

South Dakota Mines (3-6)  begins Dakota Athletic Conference play hosting rival Black Hills State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Goodell Gymnasium.