SPEARFISH, RAPID CITY, S.D. – In what was the Grizzlies' second long road trip of the 2019-20 season, this one was equally as difficult as the first, as they fell to RMAC foes Black Hills State 66-81 Friday night, and South Dakota Mines 69-72 on Saturday. The losses drop the Grizzlies to 3-7 on the year and 1-3 in conference play.
 
Friday Against the Yellow Jackets
The Grizzlies prepared to go up against Black Hills State Friday night in Spearfish, in what appeared to be a very even matchup with both teams coming in at 3-5. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, their lack of size which has not been a big factor so far this season, was a factor in the 66-81 loss, as they were outrebounded by the Yellow Jackets 32-47.
 
The story of the game was the rough first half for the Grizzlies, as Black Hills State took an 18-point lead into halftime. The second half was much better on both ends, as the Grizzlies outscored the Yellow Jackets 41-38, but it was too little, too late and in the end, the Grizzlies ultimately fell 66-81.
 
Guard Juwan Green had a nice night in the loss, as he seems to be coming into form nicely at the point for the Grizzlies. For the second-straight game, Green had over 20 points and is the driving force for the Grizzly offense. All ten Grizzlies who entered into the game Friday scored, but only one player not named Juwan Green was in double figures, as Rylan O'brien finished the game with 10.
 
Saturday Against the Hardrockers
With the loss to Black Hills State, the Grizzlies regrouped, hoping to replicate their bounce back Saturday night victory from last week against Highlands after losing to CSU-Pueblo the night before. They hung in strong against South Dakota Mines, taking a 38-31 lead into the half, but in the end faltered in the second half to lose their second in a row, 69-72.
 
The Grizzlies opted to start guard Szymon Walczak in place of forward Nana Appiah, which meant the Grizzlies would sacrifice size for attack, going small to start the game. Walczak had a nice night in the starting lineup on both ends of the floor, scoring 10 points to go along with his impressive two blocks and a steal. Walczak has been a staple on defeinse for the Grizzlies, and he put his skillset on display Saturday night.
 
Juwan Green and Kaelin Crane, who are beginning to become an offensive dynamic duo, both had good nights in double figures. Green went over 20 yet again finishing with 24 on the night, and Crane bounced back from a tough scoring game Friday night where he finished with only four points against Black Hills, to finish with 18.
 
A factor that could have made a difference in the game for the Grizzlies was their poor second half free throw shooting, where they shot just 5 of 11 from the foul line. The game featured four lead changes and two ties, and the Grizzlies kept themselves in the game the entire way with their solid defense that forced a whopping 20 South Dakota Mines turnovers. In the end, it would not be the Grizzlies night, and they ultimately suffered their third conference loss of the season.
 
The two-game road trip that resulted in a two-game skid for the Grizzlies drops them to 3-7 on the year and 1-3 in the RMAC. They will go back on the road for the final game of the 2019 portion of the season, as they prepare to make the short trek to Durango and take on Fort Lewis next Saturday.