SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University men's basketball team fell in a heartbreaker on Saturday night in the finale of the East/West Challenge, dropping a 72-71 game to Augustana in the final seconds of the contest. Another instant classic to cap an already thrilling weekend of basketball between the RMAC and NSIC in A2 Arena saw the Yellow Jackets and Vikings trade the lead 12 times while also being tied six times in the final 14 minutes of the match-up as neither team gained an advantage of more than 3-points. With the game coming down to the wire it was Akoi Akoi who hit the dagger 3-pointer for Augie to give them the one point lead with 4.2 seconds remaining, however there was just enough time for BHSU to have one final chance. Caelin Hearne got the look he wanted on a one dribble pull up, but the shot eventually rolled out after going halfway down, allowing Augustana to survive in the battle of in-state foes.
 
QUICK DETAILS
Score: Black Hills State 71, Augustana 72
Team Records: Black Hills State 2-2, Augustana 3-1
Attendance: 2,023
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sparked by a pair of baskets by Tanner Te Slaa and 3-pointers by Sam Rensch and Akoi Akoi, Augustana jumped out to a quick 10-0 advantage just 2:41 into the game. Black Hills State, however, quickly got back into the game as Caelin Hearne sparked a 12-3 scoring run for the Yellow Jackets with a left corner 3-pointer off an assist from Joel Speckman and it was capped by a left wing 3-pointer by Tristan Hurdle off a cross court pass and assist from Cam Lowe to cut the deficit to 13-12 with 14:18 left in the first half.
• The Vikings briefly extended their lead back to 19-12 with six consecutive points, however, BHSU quickly responded once again with an 8-3 run of their own sparked by another 3-pointer from Hurlde as he connected on a shot from the left wing off an assist from Hearne. The Yellow Jackets cut the deficit back down to 22-20 as Hearne knocked down all three free throws after being fouled on a shot beyond the arc with 9:28 remaining in the first half.
• Augie continued to lead throughout the remainder of the opening half, leading by as many as seven points (35-28) with 2:21 left on the clock, but Black Hills State once again trimmed the deficit back down to a single point following 3-pointers by Hurdle and Lowe, with assists by BJ Woodruff and Jaeton Hackley respectively, to make it a 35-34 score with just under a minute to play till the break. Augustana's Conner Kraft connected on the final basket of the half with a mid-range jumper from the right side of the court to give the Vikings a 37-34 lead at halftime.
• The second half started with a 2-handed dunk by Speckman off the pick & roll from Hearne to bring the Yellow Jackets within one point (37-36) just seven seconds into the half. Augustana continue to hang on to the lead, however, as they eventually pushed their advantage back to six points (44-38) after a pull up jumper off the dribble at the left elbow by Akoi out of the under 16 media timeout.
• Lowe than started to take over the game as he scored six of eight points on an 8-0 run to give Black Hills State their first lead of the game (46-44) with 13:22 remaining, as he first knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key and then converted an old fashioned 3-point play with a big finish at the rim through contact.
• In total the lead changed hands 12 times in the final 14 minutes of action, with the score being tied an additional six times. Neither team led by more than three points during that time span.
• Akoi played a big role for the Vikings in the final minute of the contest tying the score at 68 on a right baseline jumper with 45 seconds to play. Hackley then had the answer to give the Yellow Jackets the lead back with a drive and step through the lane for the right handed layup to make it a 70-68 ball game with 31 seconds left in the contest. The ensuing possession Malyk Rebetez for Augie was fouled driving to the rim and had an opportunity to tie the game at the charity stipe, however, he missed the second shot, and the score remained 70-69 in favor of BHSU with 21 seconds left. Needing to foul in order to get the ball back AU fouled Lowe with ten seconds to play and he also proceeded to go 1-of-2 at the line to push the lead back to two (71-69). Augustana quickly pushed the ball into the front court where they called a timeout with 9.2 seconds remaining, and out of the huddle Akoi was once again the go to option for the Vikings as he hit the dagger 3-pointer from the top of the key with 4.2 seconds left off the handoff from Brady Helgren, giving AU the 72-71 lead. Black Hills State had one final chance as they dribbled the ball into the front court and called timeout with 2.3 ticks left on the clock. On the inbounds play Hearne received the pass on the near side of the court, took one dribble, pulled up from mid-range in front of the Yellow Jacket bench and saw his shot go halfway down before rolling out as the Vikings survived in the East/West Challenge finale.

BLACK HILLS STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS
Cam Lowe: 21 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Tristan Hurdle: 21 points, 5 3-pointers, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
Caelin Hearne: 16 points, 3-of-5 3-pointers, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
 
UP NEXT
Black Hills State remains at home this week as they are set to host Montana State Billings on Thursday, November 21, for a 7 p.m. tip-off in A2 Arena.
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