RAPID CITY, S.D. -- December 16, 2016 -- After a thoroughly close game turned into a double digit lead for the homestanding Hardrockers with three minutes to play, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (7-4, 3-2 RMAC) withstood a furious rally by Chadron State College (1-8, 1-4 RMAC), but held on for the 76-71 decision Friday evening in Rapid City.

"Whether we've won or lost, our guys have competed," said CSC head men's basketball coach Houston Reed. "They played hard, but just had some breakdowns. We had some there near the last few minutes of the games where the score got spread out, but these guys showed their character and how hard they're working in getting back to a three-point game at the end."

Neither team led by more than six through 34 minutes, with the Hardrockers shooting well on their home floor but starting 6-of-12 from the foul line and only three free throw tries in the first half. However SDSMT got 19 trips to the charity stripe down the stretch, finishing with 22 points at the line on 32 attempts.

The game seemed to shift near the five-minute mark in the second half, in favor of the SD MInes side, when the home team started piling up free throw opportunities and Jack Fiddler and Marco Pascolo each hit timely three balls to stretch the Hardrocker lead to 12 poitns with 3:04 remaining in the game.

However, facing down the double bonus for the last 10 minutes of the game, the Eagles would not go away. CSC shooters were 5-of-7 from the floor in a two-minute span that saw the SDSMT lead shrink from 12 to 3, giving the Eagles a one-possession game with 1:04 on the clock. Austin Hall, who finished 6-of-6 from the floor, had 7 of his 15 points in that stretch, including a clutch three-point ball. Bronte Corbray, making a return from injury, also had a big three-pointer to buoy the Eagles back into contention.

The Hardrockers' star post player, Konor Kulas, came up with the winning play, putting back an offensive board for two points to seal the win for SD MInes. Kulas led his team with 24 points, shooting 8-for-9. He added nine rebounds.

Darius Polley was the Eagles' leading scorer, tying Kulas at 24. He was the leading passer for CSC with eight assists, and recorded four steals on defense.

"Tomorrow's our last game before the break," said Reed. "We'll see how much juice is in the tanks and really challenge them to leave it all on the floor tomorrow night before they get a couple days off."

The Eagles play at Black Hills State at approximately 6 p.m. Saturday, following the women's game.