RAPID CITY, S.D. – A late desperation three just missed as the Black Hills State University men's basketball team dropped its season finale 55-53 to South Dakota Mines in the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Nick Ongarato poured in a game-high 23 points while Wyatt Krogman added 12 in the loss. The Yellow Jacket conclude its season 12-14 overall and 10-12 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Both win totals are bests for BHSU since entering the NCAA.

Neither team wanted to take hold of the game in the first half with six lead changes. The most separation either team could get was a seven-point advantage by the Hardrockers with 38 seconds remaining in the half.

That separation was quickly shortened when Wyatt Krogman sank a 3-point basket with eight seconds left to enter the intermission down just four points with a 30-26 score.

Midway through the second half, South Dakota Mines opened an eight point lead, as the Yellow Jackets answered every time the lead touched eight points. The Yellow Jackets were then able to cut the lead down to five points thanks to a free throw from Ongarato, then followed up with a fast-break dunk for the 46-41 SDSM&T lead with 8:29 on the clock.

The Yellow Jackets then started splitting the lead between seven points and five points, answering each other again.

Krogrman cut the lead down to two points at 50-48 with a 3-point basket with 4:25 on the clock. However, much like most of the half, the Hardrockers answered with a trey from Philip Schanilec.

Nick Ongarato answered two possessions later with a layup for the 53-50 score and 3:06 remaining.

Both teams then struggled to score over the final three minutes, with the exception of a SD Mines layup and the five point lead.

With precious time ticking away, Max Mueller stepped into a contested 3-point basket that swished with 50 seconds remaining and the Green and Gold down two.

Forced to foul, Jaisean Jackson went to the free throw line and missed the front-end of a one-and-one. Ongarato snagged the rebound with 11 seconds on the clock and brought the ball up court where Schanilec committed a foul to give the Yellow Jackets the ball just in front of midcourt.

That set up Riley Ryan, who took a contested 3-point basket for the win, that just missed give South Dakota Mines the 55-53 victory.

Jackson led the Hardrockers with 18 points while Konor Kulas grabbed 12 rebounds. Mueller was the top rebounder for the Yellow Jackets at 9.

The loss ends the careers of the Yellow Jackets three seniors: Tate Hilgenkamp, Nick Ongarato and Riley Ryan.