Friday, December 19, 2014
                                                                                                         
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Eastern New Mexico University men's basketball team (6-5) trimmed an early nine-point deficit to four points, but dropped a 97-71 decision to South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (3-9), Friday night in Rapid City, S.D. Chris Wyms (Jr., G, Carson, Calif. / King Drew Medical Magnet HS / Cerritos College) paced the Greyhounds with 19 points and two steals.
 
The loss was Eastern's first to the Hardrockers in three meetings. The teams will meet again, in Portales, on January 2, 2015. The teams traded baskets early on, with Jason Clardy (Jr., F, Indianapolis, Ind. / Warren Central HS / Midland College) tying the contest at 2-all and 4-all, before a 10-2 run staked SDMT to a 14-6 lead with 13:23 left in the opening half. After a pair of free throws pulled Eastern to within six points, a Calvin Thomas trey expanded the Hardrocker's lead to 17-8. Demetrius Balark (Jr., G, Glendale, Ariz. / Raymond S. Kellis High School / Cochise College)  scored five straight points, to pull the Hounds back to within four at 17-13, with 11:19 left in the first half. Eastern pulled within four on three more occasions, before South Dakota Mines pulled away for the win.
 
The Hardrockers held a 48-30 edge on the boards, but managed just a 9-8 lead in second-chance points. The Hounds defense forced 14 turnovers, while ENMU committed just eight. Balark added 10 points, while John Gilliam (Jr., G, San Bernardino, Calif. / Upland HS / Chaffey College) had 11 points. Konor Kulas finished with 33 points and 12 boards for South Dakota Mines.
 
The Eastern New Mexico University men's basketball team will return to action on Wednesday, December 31, to host Colorado State-Pueblo.