By Brad Blume, Sports Information Director
RAPID CITY --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's and women's basketball teams will make their final home appearance of the 2012-13 season this weekend at the King Center as the Hardrockers welcome Northern New Mexico College on Friday night and Johnson and Wales University Saturday afternoon.
The SD Mines Athletics Dept., has also scheduled a number of other events throughout the weekend. A silent auction, sponsored by Malone Engineering, will be held both days. Malone Engineering has gathered a large number of items valued at over $6,000 and will auction off half during Friday's games and the other half on Saturday.
A birthday celebration has also been planned Saturday for the Hardrockers' beloved mascot Grubby. He will be on hand all weekend and will serve free cake and refreshments during halftime of the men's game Saturday. SD Mines Student Life Association is also sponsoring a Grubby look-alike contest along with other fun halftime games and activities.
A lot will be on the line for the Hardrocker men's program as they are looking to stay perfect at Goodell Gymnasium. The Hardrockers have an 8-0 home record and will really be put the test Friday night as they seek revenge on Northern New Mexico College.
The Eagles narrowly defeated SD Mines two weeks ago in New Mexico and Friday's bout should provide plenty of competition and excitement. NNMC is on a four-game winning streak with a 9-15 overall record. The Hardrockers had won four straight before their run-in with Northern New Mexico and are currently 14-7 on the season.
"There's a lot excitement for us this weekend because of our home undefeated record and last home game of the season," said Hardrocker men's basketball head coach Jason Henry. "We take pride in the fact that we are a very competitive team and even more so when the Hardrockers are on their home floor. We are undefeated at the King Center and hope to keep it that way and hope the Rapid City community will come and support our teams this weekend."
SD Mines and JWU (4-21) square off Saturday at 5 p.m. The Hardrockers handled the Wildcats, 82-66, two weeks ago in Denver, Colo., and are hoping for similar results this time out.
After a tough stretch of games, the Lady Hardrockers have bounced back to boast of a 12-8 record along with three consecutive wins. The SD Mines women are also tough on their home floor, dropping just two bouts this season to stellar opponents (6-2). The Lady Hardrockers took care of both of this weekend's opposition two weeks ago in dominant fashion. SD Mines defeated Northern New Mexico (7-17), 74-58, and dispatched JWU (9-15), 76-59.
"Both teams are pretty similar," said Lady Hardrocker head coach Barb Felderman. "They both like to shoot the three-pointer and run a penetrate-kick offense. We will have to contain them. Neither squad is very big so we will try to exploit in that area."
The Hardrocker women take on NNMC Friday at 5:30 p.m. and the men game follows at 7:30 p.m. and the women take the court at 3 p.m. against JWU and the men play at 5 p.m.