SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University men’s basketball team was stunned by the Hardrockers in the first round of the RMAC Tournament falling 71-80. The Yellow Jackets finish the season 20-9 and 17-5 in conference play.
The stage was set for a game with the atmosphere of an RMAC Final. Black Hills and SD Mines, set just 50 miles apart, already have quite the storied history. This season saw the Yellow Jackets beating the Hardrockers in the final regular season game on the buzzer beater to clinch the regular season RMAC title. Tech earned the seventh seed in the tournament while BHSU got the second seed setting the stage for a rematch.
With a packed gym, the Hardrockers, and their fans, brought an intensity that the Yellow Jackets couldn’t quite match. Mines took control of the game early on and the Yellow Jackets were forced to play keep up much of the first half. They held mines to just a five point lead to enter half with a short 31-36 deficit. Tech came ready to play in the second half and quickly pulled ahead by 12. Through solid rebounding, the Yellow Jackets clawed their way back to within three after a huge three pointer by Trey Whitley with 7 minutes remaining. Unfortunately costly fouls would prove to difficult to overcome, leading to BHSU’s upset.
On the night, the team shot 29-66 from the field (43 percent). Of that, they hit 7 of 22 three pointers (31 percent). The team didn’t get much chances at the free throw line, but they were consistent when they drew the foul shooting 6 for 6.
Three Yellow Jackets were in double digits with Trey Whitley leading the way with 22 points. He shot 8 for 15, pulled down 5 boards, and hit 4 of 4 free throws. Joel Scott was good for 17 points also pulling down 5 boards. He shot 50 percent on the night. Sava Dukic put up 13 points while Antonio Capley led the team with rebounds, pulling down 10.
The 2019-2020 season has now officially concluded for the Yellow Jackets.
