SPEARFISH, S.D. - The South Dakota School of Mines visited the Young Center on Tuesday night to take on the Yellow Jackets and walked away with the close victory by a score of 72-68.  The loss was the first of the season for the Jackets who now move to 1-1 on the year overall. 

The first half was kind to the Jackets as they managed to get off to an early lead after shooting an impressive 55.3% from three-point land after going 5-of-9, while the Hardrockers managed just one 3-pt shot on six attempts in the first half.  This seemed to be the difference early on as they Jackets went into the locker room at halftime with the 32-27 lead. 

Senior, Tommy Earl, was 3-for-3 in the first half to lead the Jackets with nine points at the break as Joey Mitchell had seven points on 3-of-6 shooting.  By game's end, Mitchell lead the way with 17 points as Earl finished with 16 points with three rebounds and three steals. 

Junior guard, Brady Bisgaard, was the third player for BHSU to score in double figures as he finished with 11 points while going 3-of-4 from beyond the arch.  Bench points were tough to come by for the Jackets as they combined for 13 points of the bench as senior, Julian Holliday, led the way off the bench with seven points. 

Overall, South Dakota Mines had a consistent shooting performance, especially in the second half on way to going 24-of-44 in the game, good for 50-percent from the field.  The Hardrockers were efficient with the long ball as they hit eight of 15 three-point shots (53.3%).  Michael Dietz led the way for SDSM after his 19 points, six rebounds, and three steals. 

The Hardrockers also won the rebound battle by four boards, 27-23, and they capitalized on their trips to the free throw line after hitting 16-of-21 as a team (76.2%). 

While South Dakota Mines edged out the Yellow Jackets on their home court on Tuesday night, BHSU will get an opportunity to do the same later on in the season as they travel to Rapid City on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at 7 p.m. to take a shot at revenge in the Jackets' fourth game of the new year. 

The next game for the Yellow Jackets will be from home this coming Saturday (11/30) versus Augustana for a 4 p.m. tip-off at the Young Center. 

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