The Sioux Falls men's basketball team turned as cold as the recent temperatures in the second half tonight, shooting just 26.7 percent (3-of-30) before falling to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 82-74, in front of 321 fans at Goodell Gymnasium in Rapid City, S.D.
The game was tied at 36 at halftime and the Cougars (1-1) would get within three points with just over a minute to play but the Hardrockers (2-2) iced the game from the free throw line.
SD Mines outscored the visiting Cougars, 43-35, in the second half.
The Cougars shot 35.5 percent (22-of-62) from the floor for the game and struggled mightily from long range, connecting on just 7 of 23 three-point attempts for a 25.9 percent clip. The Hardrockers went 26-for-53 from the field (49 percent).
Robert Goffney finished with 18 points on 2-for-11 shooting to lead the Cougars' offensive efforts. The senior guard did most of his damage from the charity stripe, where he went 13-for-14. Charles Ward's nine points was matched by reserves Mack Johnson and Preston Rayburn, who helped the Cougars win the battle of the bench 31-24. Derek Brown went 2-for-6 from three and 2-for-2 from the line to finish with eight points.
Senior Michael Dietz led a quintet of double-figure scorers for School of Mines with 16 points, while fellow seniors Caleb Shockman and Lance Kilburn both tallied 14 markers.
USF edged the Hardrockers 40-34 in rebounds, including a 14-8 advantage on the offensive glass. The Cougars committed 12 turnovers and gained 22 points off of 16 Hardrocker miscues.
The loss snaps USF's four-game winning streak against their intra-state rival.
The Cougars return home next weekend where they will wrap up non-conference play against Grand View University and Waldorf College.
