SPEARFISH, S.D. – Playing their first road game of the season, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team fell to Black Hills State, 77-66, in their conference opener Friday evening.

The Mountain Lions (3-4, 0-1 RMAC) came close to taking the lead late in the game when they cut a Black Hills State nine-point lead to just two after a 9-2 run with 3:48 remaining. The run was capped off by a dunk by Justin Smith, making it 63-61, but that was as close as UCCS would get.

Going on a quick 6-0 run, the Yellowjackets (4-1, 1-0 RMAC) solidified their lead before earning the win.

A trio of Mountain Lions scored a team-high 12 points as Smith led the way with a 5 of 11 shooting performance while hauling in nine rebounds.

Jonathan Barnes and Elijah Ross was added 12 points as Brandon Malone chipped in nine points.

UCCS will look to get their first conference win tomorrow night when they visit South Dakota Mines in Rapid City. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.