RAPID CITY, S.D. – Texas A&M International men's basketball finished its opening weekend in a defensive slugfest against South Dakota Mines. In the end, it was the Dustdevils (2-0, 0-0 LSC) sweeping the weekend slate against the RMAC, topping the Hardrockers (1-1, 0-0 RMAC) 52-48 and solidifying a 2-0 start for the first time since 2012-13.
 
In the fifth meeting between the two teams, it was TAMIU picking up its second win in the series and first since 2016.
 
Scoring was not as easy to come by as compared to the 82-73 win over Chadron State on Friday as the Dustdevils were limited to just 52 points. However, the hard-nosed defense of TAMIU stepped up to the challenge showing they can win both a shootout and a defensive struggle.
 
In the first half, it was TAMIU holding the edge, taking a 31-21 lead into the locker room after 20 minutes of play.
 
After falling behind 5-0 over the first couple of possessions, the Dustdevils exploded to go on a 17-0 over the next 6:10 seconds, before allowing the Hardrockers to score again at 12:05 remaining.
 
The remainder of the half was back and forth, and neither team scored over the final 2:42 of the half.
 
TAMIU shot 40% in the first half (12-30) and a 4-11 from three-point range. On the other side, South Dakota Mines shot 36% (9-26) and were 1-9 from distance in the opening 20 minutes.
 
In the second half, the Hardrockers made a push to take down the Dustdevils. TAMIU opened its lead to 39-26 with 12:24 remaining in the contest, and didn't score again until senior Greg Bowie II hit a three with 7:12 remaining. South Dakota Mines' defense held the Dustdevils to just three field goals in the first 13:32 of the second half.
 
The Hardrockers found themselves within two at 47-45 with 2:33 remaining, but TAMIU wouldn't allow another shot to go down the remainder of the game, other than three free throws.
 
On the night, the Dustdevils shot 37.5% (18-48) and 5-17 from distance. The positive was the defenses ability to make stops, holding South Dakota Mines to 37.3% (19-51) and just 3-13 from three. The free throw line also wasn't kind to the Hardrockers, who were just 7-17 from the stripe.
 
Junior Daniel Kiely led all TAMIU scorers with 12 points, adding four rebounds and three assists to his ledger. Bowie followed with 11 points.
 
Junior La-Quiem Walker was the team's leading rebounder, hauling in six on the nights.
 
The Dustdevils will look to do something they haven't done since 2007 and that's start the season 3-0. TAMIU gets to enter the friendly confines of the KCB for the first time this season as they host Southwestern Adventist on Monday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.