SPEARRFISH - Forrest Dorr drained a free throw with 3.6 seconds remaining, handing Black Hills State a nail-biting 72-71 win over Mount Marty in the Yellow Jackets' home opener on Saturday at the Young Center.

Dorr's heroics spoiled a furious second half comeback by the Lancers. Black Hills held a 58-41 advantage. Mount Marty utilized a 30-13 scoring barrage to knot the game. A basket by Alan Hough tied the contest at 71-71 in the closing half-minute.

After the two teams traded turnovers, and two time outs by Black Hills State to set up a play, third-year Yellow Jackets coach Paul Sather explained the offensive strategy.

"I can't take credit for it. That was Forrest's plan. We wanted to get something attacking the rim. We cleared out the back side for a drive by Forrest," Sather said.

Dorr was fouled on his move to the basket. He misfired on the first free throw attempt, but sank the second charity shot.

Mount Marty advanced the ball to half court and called a time out on the ensuing possession. Rudy Harper attempted a shot from the top of the key. However, Cain Atkinson got a piece of the ball on the shot.

"Cain congested the shot. It was a good defensive play," said Sather.

Thirteen Black Hills State players saw playing time for the Yellow Jackets.

Atkinson led the way with 17 markers, including a trio of three-point goals. A.J. Fodness chipped in 12 and Will John Johnson added 11.

"We're playing a lot of guys, said Sather. "We had 41 points from our bench players tonight. I like the fact we have young players responding off the bench."

Nathan Fischer and Stan Johnson netted 14 points apiece for the Lancers. Pat Anderson tossed in 11 and Chris Filsinger had 10.

"They (Lancers) have a veteran group with five seniors," said Sather. "We held them to 29 points in the first half."

Black Hills State owned a 40-29 halftime lead.

"Mount Marty played hard. They ran their stuff. We went into a lull in the second half, and they put it to us.

"This is a game that last year I feel we lose. In this game, we made the plays when we had to make them to win.

"We played 32 minutes of great basketball. For eight minutes we were exposed and learned how much we need to get better."

Black Hills State, now 2-0, overall hosts Dakota Wesleyan at 4 p.m. today.

Mount Marty visits South Dakota Mines today. The Lancers and Hardrockers tip off at 4 p.m. at Goodell Gymnasium.