SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University men's basketball team heads out on the road for a pair of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games this weekend. The Yellow Jackets will face New Mexico Highlands on Friday, January 5, at 7 p.m., before traveling to CSU-Pueblo for a rematch on Saturday, January 6, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

THE GAME - New Mexico Highlands
» The Cowboys defeated BHSU, 64-52, last season in the teams' only meeting.
 
» NMHU is currently tied with Black Hills State and Regis for sixth in the RMAC, with a 4-3 conference record. The Cowboys were selected to finish ninth in the Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
» The team scores 82.5 points per game, led by Jacob Hollands, who averages 14.8 ppg. Four other players average in double-figures, including Chris Lewis (10.7 ppg), who leads the team and the RMAC in rebounding, pulling down 8.8 boards per game.
 
THE GAME - Colorado State University-Pueblo
» The Yellow Jackets defeated the ThunderWolves in the first meeting this year. BHSU took the game, 78-54, in Spearfish on December 30. Fraser Malcolm and Antonio Capley both recorded double-doubles.
 
» CSU-Pueblo is currently tied for 10th in the RMAC standings, holding a 2-5 conference record. The team is 5-8 overall.
 
» Will Newman leads the team in scoring and rebounding, with 16.9 ppg and 7.0 rpg.
 
» The ThunderWolves were selected to finish sixth in the Preseason RMAC Coaches' Poll. Newman was named to the Preseason All-RMAC Team.
 
THE COACHES
» Jeff Trumbauer enters his fourth season at the helm of the Yellow Jackets. He has a 38-56 record at BHSU.
 
» Craig Snow is the head coach of the Cowboys, and is in his fourth year.
 
» Ralph Turner is in his seventh year coaching CSU-Pueblo, holding a 99-70 record.

Last Time Out
The Yellow Jackets returned off the holiday layoff by cruising by Colorado State University-Pueblo, 78-54, on December 30. The win moved BHSU to 7-4 overall, and 4-3 in conference play.
 
Antonio Capley recorded his first career double-double to help lead the Green and Gold. The sophomore scored 15 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, both of which were career-highs. Fraser Malcolm also had a double-double, his fourth of the season. He recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds. Connor O'Hearn added 14 points and a season-high six assists.
 
The Yellow Jackets outrebounded the ThunderWolves, 55-25, including a 17-8 edge in offensive boards.

Seeing Double
With Fraser Malcolm and Antonio Capley both recording double-doubles in the Yellow Jackets victory over CSU-Pueblo (Dec. 30), BHSU had two players with double figure points and rebounds for the first time since Feb. 18, 2011. Teammates Will John Johnson (23 points, 22 rebounds) and Luke Enos (24 points, 12 rebounds) led the Green and Gold in a 69-50 victory over Minot State when the team was still in the NAIA.
 
Feather in his Cap
Antonio Capley recorded his first career double-double in the Yellow Jacket's victory over CSU-Pueblo (Dec. 30). The sophomore tallied 15 points and 12 rebounds, both career-highs.
 
Pull it Down
Stefan Desnica grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds against Colorado Christian (Dec. 9), Antonio Capley had a career-high 12 boards against CSU-Pueblo (Dec. 30), while Fraser Malcolm is third in the RMAC in offensive rebounds (3.0) and rebounding (8.2). The Yellow Jackets are third in the league in offensive rebounding (11.2).
 
South Dakota Hold 'em
BHSU leads the RMAC and is 23rd in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 66.2 points per game.
 
Take Care of the Ball
Connor O'Hearn is third in the RMAC for assist to turnover ratio (2.3).
 
99 Problems, But a Win Ain't One
The Yellow Jackets scored 99 points against Yellowstone Christian (Nov. 11). This was the most points scored by BHSU since they scored 101 in an overtime loss to Colorado Christian in 2013 (Dec. 14).
 
Share the Rock
BHSU has begun the season averaging 12.5 assists though 11 games. The 18 assists against Yellowstone Christian (Nov. 11) and CSU-Pueblo (Dec. 30) are the most in a single game since the Yellow Jackets had 19 in an 84-59 victory over Regis in 2015 (Dec. 12). Connor O'Hearn had a season-high six assists against the ThunderWolves.
 
Settling In
Some of the new players on the Yellow Jackets this season are already making a large impact. Junior transfer Mckaleb McInnis is second on the team in scoring, with 11.0 ppg, while junior transfer Dez Stoudamire also averages double-figure scoring (10.5 ppg).
 
Home Sweet Home
Black Hills State's record last season was starkly different at home and on the road. The team did not win a road game until Feb. 18. The Yellow Jackets were 7-8 at home, but just 2-11 away from the Young Center. So far this year, the trend is continuing, as BHSU is 7-1 at home, and 0-3 on the road.

BHSU Picked 11th by RMAC Coaches
Black Hills State was tabbed 11th in the RMAC Coaches' Poll with 59 points. Fort Lewis was voted to finish first, with 183 points, while Colorado Mines (178), and Regis (177), were selected to finish second and third, respectively.
  Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.