SPEARFISH, S.D. – Playing in the RMAC Men's Basketball Tournament Semifinals for the fifth consecutive season, the Black Hills State University men's basketball team will have to go through the regular season champions and No. 9/9 nationally ranked Colorado School of Mines squad to reach the title game for the third time in school history. The Yellow Jackets, who were one of two road teams to secure a win in the first round of the tournament, will look to continue their recent momentum from the last month as they are set for a 7 p.m. tip-off in Lockridge Arena with the host Orediggers on Tuesday, March 7.
 
GAME DETAILS
Date & Time: Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m.
Location: Golden, Colo. – Lockridge Arena
How to Watch: All 14 games of the RMAC Men's & Women's Basketball Tournaments will be broadcasted live on the RMAC Network with pay-per-view access. Fans can purchase an Elevated Pass for $100 which will give them access to every RMAC Championship event during the 2024-25 season. Other passes available for purchase include a Winter Season Pass (Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Women's Wrestling, Swimming & Diving, and Indoor Track & Field) for $70, a Men's & Women's Basketball Tournament Pass for $25, or a Day Pass for $9.99.
Radio Broadcast: The game will air on KDSJ with Steve Ammerman on the call, joining the match-up in progress following the conclusion of the BHSU women's semifinal match-up at Colorado Mesa.
 
BLACK HILLS STATE STORYLINES

• Black Hills State enters the semifinals of the 2025 RMAC Men's Basketball Tournament with a record of 18-11 (13-7 RMAC) after going on the road and defeating MSU Denver by a score of 79-69 on Tuesday night, securing their eighth win in their last ten outings.
• Tuesday's win over the Roadrunners sent the Yellow Jackets to their fifth consecutive appearance in the RMAC Men's Basketball Tournament Semifinals as they seek their second tournament title in a four year span.
• BHSU is the only RMAC school to have both their men's and women's basketball program's in the semifinals of the RMAC Tournament.
• On Thursday the RMAC announced their yearly and all-conference accolades as Cam Lowe was recognized as RMAC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-RMAC, Caelin Hearne was named Second Team All-RMAC, and both Jaeton Hackley and Tristan Hurdle were named Honorable Mention All-RMAC.
• During the final weekend of the regular season, the Yellow Jackets reached the century mark for just the seventh time in program history as they defeated Adams State 100-93 on Thursday night, marking the first time they've done so since a 103-97 victory at Adams State on February 24, 2023. Additionally, it was the 3-point shot and efficient ball movement that lifted BHSU to the win, knocking down 18 shots from beyond the arc, tying for the second most in program history and doing so at a 60.0 percent clip which was third best in school history (min. 10 made). The Green & Gold assisted on a season-high 24 baskets, tying for third most in school history.
• During the current 6-game home winning streak, the Yellow Jackets have taken over in the second half with their defense, outscoring their opponents by a combined 243-189 in the final 20 minutes of the contests. The stifling defense held those opponents to just 58-of-166 (34.9%) from the field and 13-of-50 (26.0%) from 3-point range.
• After a pair of tough non-conference losses in the final seconds early in the season, the Yellow Jackets finished the regular season 8-2 in A2 Arena in RMAC action. Additionally, BHSU is 75-18 (80.6%) against RMAC opponents at home since 2017-18.
• Black Hills State was picked to finish fourth in the RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving 157 points in the vote by the head coaches. They ended the regular season in a 3-way tie with Colorado Mesa and MSU Denver for third place in the conference standings with a 13-7 record. The Yellow Jackets have secured their eighth consecutive 10-win season in conference play, dating back to the 2017-18 season.
• BHSU joins only Colorado School of Mines and Colorado Mesa as the only three schools to win 13 or more conference games in each of the last four seasons.
• Through 29 games in the 2024-25 season BHSU is averaging 77.0 points, 36.2 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 5.2 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game, while shooting the ball 47.8 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from 3-point range, and 72.4 percent from the free throw line. Their opponents have averaged 69.6 points, 33.3 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 7.1 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game, while shooting the ball 41.7 percent from the field, 33.9 percent from 3-point range, and 75.3 percent from the free throw line.
• The 399 assists dished out this year by the Yellow Jackets currently ranks as the second most in the program's DII history, only behind the 450 recorded in the 2021-22 season. On three occasions Black Hills State has tallied 20 or more assists in a game this year.
• The Yellow Jackets 842 made field goals in 2024-25 currently ranks second in the program's DII history, only behind the 975 made in 2021-22, while the 278 made 3-pointers are also second in the school's DII history and are only 11 behind the 299 made in 2021-22 that sits atop the record books.
• BHSU knocked down at least six or more 3-pointers in each RMAC contest this season and on 13 occasions connected on ten or more made shots from beyond the arc in a league game this year, including five of the last six games to end the regular season. As a team the Yellow Jackets shot 204-of-512 (39.8%) and averaged 10.2 made 3-pointers in the 20 league match-ups.
• The Yellow Jackets currently rank 13^th in NCAA Division II in 3-point percentage, 23^rd in field goal percentage defense, and 25^th in effective field goal percentage (55.7%). The also lead the RMAC in field goal percentage defense and 3-point percentage.
• Lowe becomes the second player in Black Hills State men's basketball history to be named RMAC Freshman of the Year, joining Yellow Jacket legend Joel Scott who did so in 2019-20, and it also marks the sixth consecutive season that BHSU has had a player recognized as First Team All-RMAC. He has emerged as one of the top scorers and rebounders in the conference, averaging 15.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He adds 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting the ball 49.4 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from 3-point range, and 82.4 percent from the free throw line. Among RMAC leaders he currently leads the conference in defensive rebounds per game (6.93), is third in rebounds per game, is fourth in field goals made (159) and points per game, is fifth in 3-pointers per game (2.14) and in total 3-pointers made (62) and is sixth in field goal percentage. He's scored in double figures 23 times on the year. He poured in a career-high of 28 points in a thrilling overtime win at UCCS, shooting 7-of-9 from the field, 6-of-7 from 3-point range, and 8-of-8 from the charity stripe, one of nine games of 20 or more points this year. Additionally, as one of the conference's most active rebounders, he's secured eight or more rebounds in 18 contests this season, including ten or more in nine games which includes a career-high of 14 against Augustana. He's posted a team-high eight double-doubles this season. Against Adams State last Thursday night, he scored 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field and 7-of-7 from 3-point range, matching the BHSU and RMAC record for 3-point percentage as he was the first Yellow Jacket to ever be perfect from beyond the arc on seven attempts and the sixth in conference history.
• After earning Honorable Mention All-RMAC honors in 2023-24 and being named to the 2024-25 RMAC Preseason Watch List, Hearne receives Second Team All-RMAC honors this year. In the first round of the RMAC Men's Basketball Tournament on Tuesday night against MSU Denver, he became the latest Yellow Jacket to join the 1,000-point club, now sitting at 1,004 points and counting in his BHSU career. Among the top scoring threats for the Green & Gold all season long he currently averages 14.1 points while adding 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He has scored in double figures in 22 of the 28 games he's played in this year for the Yellow Jackets, including four times in which he scored 20 or more points and a career-best 30 points in a win over Sioux Falls. While having made 146-of-324 field goal attempts this season, he is shooting 45.1 percent from the field which is ninth-best in the conference. Additionally, with 54 made 3-pointers, he is one of three BHSU sharpshooters to have made 50 or more shots from distance this season while shooting 38.0 percent or better as he is knocking down shots from beyond the arc at a 38.6 percent clip. Averaging 1.93 3-pointers per game, on 11 occasions he has knocked down three or more shots from distance, including a season-best performance of 5-of-6 shooting from deep against USF. He currently ranks tenth in the RMAC in both 3-pointers per game and 3-point percentage. He has also secured four or more rebounds ten times and dished out three or more assists eight times.
• Receiving Honorable Mention All-RMAC honors was the facilitator and defensive leader for the Green & Gold, Hackley, who leads the team in assists (3.8) and steals (1.3) while adding 11.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. The redshirt sophomore has scored in double figures 19 times this season, which includes a pair of 20-point outings. He scored a career-high of 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field, 3-of-3 from 3-point range, and 7-of-7 from the free throw line against No. 8/10 Colorado School of Mines last month. Among his eight games this season with four or more rebounds, he secured a career-high of seven boards in the first match-up against South Dakota Mines. His active defense has resulted in 13 multi-steal games, including a career-high of four steals in the victory over Chadron State in December, while he also shattered a career-high with ten assists in the same contest. His first career double-double with 13 points and ten assists against CSC marked the first time since February 10, 2023, that a Yellow Jacket tallied double digit assists when Adam Moussa notched a triple-double against UCCS. He is now up to 15 games of four or more assists this season after doing so in now ten of the last 12 games as he averages 5.3 in the last 12 games. He currently ranks fourth in the RMAC in assist/turnover ratio (1.85) and total assists (109) and is sixth in assists per game. His 38 total steals on the season currently ranks eighth in BHSU program history and his 64 career steals is tied for ninth in school history.
• Also receiving Honorable Mention All-RMAC honors, Hurdle has emerged as one of the top sharpshooters in the nation as he leads both the RMAC and NCAA Division II with a 3-point percentage of 48.9 on 69-of-141 shooting from beyond the arc on the year. Additionally, in the 19 league games alone he shot the ball at a 53.1 percent clip from deep as he has connected on 60-of-113 shot attempts. He ranks second in the league in 3-pointers per game (2.76) and total 3-pointers (69). He's connected on multiple 3-pointers in 20 games this year, including 18 of the last 20 games. Last month he hit five shots from beyond the arc in back-to-back wins over CSU Pueblo and UCCS as he reached five or more 3-pointers for the fifth time this year. On the season he is averaging 10.4 points and 2.0 rebounds. Hurdle has scored in double figures 12 times and has twice reached the 20-point mark. His 27-point performance against Regis set a new career-high in points and made 3-pointers with 8-of-12 shooting from deep. On the glass he has secured a season-high of seven boards against the ThunderWolves.
• John Shanklin has been a defensive threat for opponents this season, ranking fourth in the RMAC in both total blocked shots (35) and blocked shots per game (1.21), while he also adds 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Currently ranking sixth in program history in career blocks (80) and sixth in single season blocks, he has posted a blocked shot in 13 of the last 17 games and in 21 games overall this year. On 12 occasions he has tallied multiple blocks, and he matched a career-high of three against No. 8/10 Colorado School of Mines last month after previously reaching the mark against No. 4/3 MSU Moorhead earlier this year. While he has scored in double figures three times this year, he is shooting the ball an efficient 72-of-100 from the field for a 72.0 percent clip which included a 49-of-67 (73.1%) shooting in 20 league games during the regular season. Additionally, he has secured five or more rebounds on ten occasions.
• Another threat in the post for the Yellow Jackets is Joel Speckman, who ranks third in the RMAC in offensive rebounds per game (2.31) and is tenth in both blocks per game (0.81) and total blocks (21). He adds 7.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, while shooting the ball 57.3 percent from the field. He has scored in double figures in seven games total this year. He has secured five or more rebounds in 18 games this season, including reaching ten or more three times. His 10-point, 10-rebound performance against Western Colorado was his first double-double of the season and just the second of his career. He has posted multiple blocked shots in six games, four of which he recorded a season-high of three in the contest, and most recently did so against Adams State in which he posted three blocked shots within the first three minutes of the game last Thursday night.
• Ryan Thompson is in his seventh season as the head coach at Black Hills State, guiding the Yellow Jackets to a record of 139-65 during his career.

#9/9 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES STORYLINES

• Colorado School of Mines enters the RMAC Men's Basketball Tournament Semifinals with a record of 25-4 (18-2 RMAC) after escaping a first round upset bid by Chadron State, earning a 79-74 victory on Tuesday night against the Eagles.
• Mines lived up to the overwhelming preseason hype as they were the favorite in the RMAC Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll, receiving 191 points and 11 first place votes. They won the regular season conference title by four games, posting an 18-2 league record.
• The Orediggers are currently ranked No. 9 in both the NABC Coaches' Poll and the D2CSC Media Poll. Additionally, they hold down the No. 1 ranking in the final release of the South Central Regional Rankings prior to Sunday night's selection show announcement of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament bracket.
• Through 29 games this season CSM is averaging 82.1 points, 35.4 rebounds, 18.5 assists, 8.0 steals, and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting the ball 50.2 percent from the field, 38.2 percent from 3-point range, and 74.3 percent from the free throw line. Their opponents are averaging 68.6 points, 30.4 rebounds, 11.9 assists, 7.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting the ball 43.6 percent from the field, 31.2 percent from 3-point range, and 70.9 percent from the free throw line.
• Colorado School of Mines currently ranks fourth in NCAA Division II in bench points per game (38.00), seventh in effective field goal percentage (58.2%), eighth in scoring margin (+13.6), ninth in assists per game, tenth in field goal percentage, 19^th in 3-point percentage, and 22^nd in assist/turnover ratio (1.44).
• In Thursday's release of the RMAC's yearly awards and all-conference teams, Majok Deng was recognized as the RMAC Player of the Year and First Team All-RMAC, Riley Schroeder was named First Team All-RMAC, Markus Pastorcic-Straun was named Second Team All-RMAC, and both Alex Romack and Grant Pressly were named Honorable Mention All-RMAC.
• The 2024-25 RMAC Player of the Year, Deng leads the way for the Orediggers as he averages 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game while shooting the ball 45.0 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from 3-point range, and 87.9 percent from the free throw line. Ranking seventh in the conference in total points (425), he's scored in double figures 18 times this year but only three times in the last nine games. He's reached the 20-point mark seven times and once reached the 30-point mark as he posted a season-high 33 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and 11-of-11 at the charity stripe against Adams State. He's connected from deep multiple times on 14 occasions and four times knocked down a season-high of four shots from beyond the arc. Ranking third on the team in rebounds, he has secured four or more boards in 15 games. Additionally, Deng leads the RMAC and ranks 32^nd nationally in free throw percentage, knocking down 102-of-116 on the year.
• The second Oredigger to receive recognition as First Team All-RMAC, Schroeder is another veteran leader that adds 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting the ball 53.1 percent from the field, 40.4 percent from 3-point range, and 72.2 percent from the free throw line. He's scored in double figures 18 times this season, including a season-high of 22 points against the Yellow Jackets last month as he shot the ball 7-of-10 from the field, 2-of-3 from 3-point range, and 6-of-6 from the charity stripe. He connected on a season-high of six made shots from beyond the arc on seven attempts against Angelo State, one of 11 games this year he hit multiple 3-pointers. He's grabbed four or more rebounds on 11 occasions, including a season-high of nine against Fort Lewis, and dished out three or more assists eight times which included a season-high of five twice.
• Rounding out the trio of double digit scorers and a Second Team All-RMAC honoree for Colorado School of Mines is Pastorcic-Straun, who he averages 10.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting the ball 54.7 percent from the field and 78.2 percent from the free throw line. He's scored in double figures in 16 games this season, including a season-high of 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field against then No. 3/2 West Liberty. He's secured four or more rebounds in eight games, dished out three or more assists in 16 games, which includes a season-high of seven against CSU Pueblo, and has collected a season-high of three steals in four games this year.
• Pressly, an Honorable Mention All-RMAC selection, is one of the top facilitators in the conference, leading the league and ranking 15^th nationally in assist/turnover ratio (2.97) while also ranking fifth in the conference in both assists per game (3.8) and total assists (107). He's dished out four or more assists in 14 games, including a season-high of ten against Northern New Mexico. Additionally, he has recorded one or fewer turnovers in 17 games. As the second-leading rebounder on the team he has grabbed four or more boards in 18 contests, including a season-high of nine on two occasions. He adds 2.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting the ball 42.1 percent from the field and 91.3 percent from the free throw line.
• The 2024-25 RMAC Coach of the Year and now a 6-time recipient of the award, Pryor Orser is the league's all-time winningest head coach as in his 24^th season at Colorado School of Mines he has guided the Orediggers to a record of 470-231 during his career. He has secured 12 20-win seasons for CSM while at the helm in Golden. 

SERIES HISTORY

• Since the 2011-12 season, Colorado School of Mines holds a 16-8 advantage in the series, however, Black Hills State has won five of the last seven match-ups. Among those five recent wins for the Yellow Jackets, four occurred against a nationally ranked Oredigger squad.
• In this year's regular season meeting on February 13, 2025, Mines pulled away in the second half and secured an 87-77 victory in Lockridge Arena to give themselves their first win over BHSU in Golden, Colorado, since February 21, 2020.