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Black Hills State Yellow Jackets at. Johnson and Wales (CO)

February 3, 2012 • Denver, Colo. • 7:00 p.m. MT.

Black Hills State Yellow Jackets vs. Northern New Mexico

February 4, 2012 • Denver, Colo. •1:00 p.m. MT.

Last Week...

Up Next...

The Yellow Jacket men's basketball team had a busy week last week as they prepared and emerged victorious in three straight contests in a five day span. The first game on the road pitted Black Hills State against their long-standing rival South Dakota School of Mines. The Yellow Jackets jumped out to a big lead in the first half behind 45% (14-31) shooting from the floor. The Yellow Jackets spread of 16 points at the halftime break proved to be enough as Black Hills State went on to win the game by a final score of 76-60. The Yellow Jackets were then able to continue their success as they traveled back to their home floor at the Donald E. Young Center for the first time in five games. Black Hills State collided with Northern New Mexico on Friday night. The Yellow Jackets put on a show for the home crowd as they soared past the Eagles by a final score of 90-68. The Yellow Jackets shot 51% (31-60) from the field on the way to the victory. The third and final win of the week for Black Hills State came at the expense of Johnson & Wales University. JWU was unable to match the offensive potency from the Yellow Jackets as they had six players finish with double figures in the scoring column. Black Hills State's hot shooting was too much for the Wildcats to overcome as the Yellow Jackets picked-up the win on their home floor in the 87-63 final.

Johnson's Honors...

Black Hills State forward Rob Johnson was named the Independent Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA) Men's Basketball Player of the Week for his performance at this past week against S.D. School of Mines, Northern New Mexico, and Johnson & Wales. Johnson, the lone senior, helped propel his team to a 3-0 record through three stellar offensive performances. Johnson's role has changed from last year, and he has answered the call, emerging as one of the Yellow Jackets most lethal offensive threats. Last week Johnson averaged 17.3 points per game, eight rebounds and nearly two blocked shots while shooting 48% (18-37) from the floor, 42% (6-13) from behind the arc and 83% (10-12) from the foul line. Johnson is currently the Yellow Jackets leading scorer and has started in every game of the 2011-2012 season. Johnson is the second Yellow Jacket to earn ICAA Player of the Week honors. Teammate Tommy Earl earned ICAA recognition for his performance at the Carroll College Classic back in December.

The Big Three...

Black Hills State currently has three players averaging double digit points leading into the second half of the 2011-2012 campaign. The Yellow Jackets are led by lone senior Rob Johnson's 16.2 point per game numbers. Johnson has scored 292 points through the 18 games. Junior guard Tommy Earl has made an immediate impact despite being a newcomer to the Black Hills State team. Earl averages 12.7 points per game and has tallied 229 points so far this season. Johnson and Earl are trailed by the dynamic freshman Brody Brisk who averages 10.2 points per game.

Crammin' Cam...

The Yellow Jackets had a breakout offensive showing at home against Johnson & Wales from sophomore forward Cameron Anderson. Anderson showed hit ability to work in the paint as well as shoot the mid-range jumper as he led all scorers with 18 points. Anderson shot 87% (7-8) from the floor and showed the Black Hills State faithful how to throw the ball down as he rose over JWU defenders for a monstrous dunk. Anderson also went (4-5) from the free throw line and reeled in eight rebounds, four on the offensive and four on the defensive end.

We're Going Streaking...

Black Hills State is currently on a three game win streak. Winning the last three games against S.D. School of Mines, Northern New Mexico, and Johnson & Wales have allowed the Yellow Jackets to match their longest win streak of the season. The last time that Black Hills State strung three straight wins together was against Rocky Mountain, Carroll, and Great Falls back in December.