Spearfish, S.D. – The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team's strong first half performance propelled them to an even scoring second half that resulted in a 13-point victory Friday night at the Young Center vs. Black Hills State University (5-17, 4-14 RMAC). 

The Orediggers came out shooting early and often as they jumped out to a quick 16-2 lead thanks to some perimeter shooting with 14:21 remaining in the first half.  A short range jumper off the glass for two points by RMAC leading scorer, junior guard Tanner Adler (6-5 200 Deadwood, SD), was fouled on the play which allowed him to hit the old school three-point play to get the Yellow Jackets rolling and within nine.  Minutes later, another run by the Orediggers pushed the lead to 23-7 with 11:13 remaining in the first half.

Junior forward, Cam Anderson (6-6 215 Gillette, WY) then had two consecutive drives to the hoop for a quick four-point swing.  Sophomore point-guard, Brady Bisgaard (5-11 Belle Fourche, SD) added a couple of free-throws as the half winded down, Adler hit two more free-throws to get within ten points then Colo-Mines hit a three-pointer less than a minute left to push the lead to 40-27 at halftime.

Colo-Mines shot 77.8 percent from three-point range in the first half on 7-of-9 shooting with 15 total shots made.  They went into the locker room shooting 57.7 percent from the field on 15-of-26 shooting.  BHSU in comparison was 0-of-6 from three-point land and was 9-of-23 from the field. 

However, the Yellow Jackets kept themselves in striking distance as they fought hard down low to capitalize on 11 trips to the free throw line, as they added nine points from the stripe.

The second half was filled with even more physical play that saw BHSU senior forward, Ryan Allen (6-8 215 Torrington, WY), fight tough with Colo-Mines' big-man, Trevor Wages, who helped the Orediggers with a double-double (14 points and 15 rebounds). 

BHSU did however match Colo-Mines in the rebound department in the second half that saw them rip down 15 second half boards, to push their total to 26.  Colo-Mines finished with 31 total rebounds.

Offensively, Adler led the way for the BHSU squad who uncharacteristically could not find many three-point shots to fall.  Adler finished with 19 points on 7-of-22 shooting and only one three pointer, but added six rebounds and a steal.  Bisgaard had 10 points, five assists and one steal, while Joey Mitchell (6-1 180 Tulare, SD) had a better second half that brought him to nine points on 4-of-6 shooting with two assists and two steals.

An exciting moment came near the middle of the second half, following Adler's lone three-point shot, Bisgaard fed 6-foot-10 junior forward, Kevin Haines (Monument, CO), on a quick back door cut in the key that allowed an open lane to open for Haines to throw down a dunk that ignited the team and crowd as they cut the lead to just five points, 43-38 with 13:13 remaining.

Again, much like in the women's game earlier in the evening, Colo-Mines seem to hit the big shot when they needed to and they were content at trading baskets as the second half trekked on, in order to sustain their lead that they established in the opening minutes of the contest.

The Yellow Jackets will return home for their second to last home game of the year at the Young Center as they welcome Colorado Christian University (11-15, 6-12 RMAC) into the Black Hills for a 7:30 pm MT tip-off.

Do not forget to come cheer on your BHSU Track and Field team tomorrow beginning at 12:30 pm MT, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 prior to the men's and women's basketball games as they host the Rock and Jock Open at the Young Center Field House.