SPEARFISH - Black Hills State clinched at least a share of its first-ever Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball title, claiming a 71-53 triumph over archrival South Dakota Mines on Wednesday at the Donald E. Young Center.

The win vaulted No. 6 BHSU to 11-1 in the DAC and 22-4 overall. A win by BHSU in its final two games or a loss by Dickinson State in its final three games would hand BHSU an outright conference title.

Will John Johnson was a force inside for the hosts. The Whitewood sophomore had 14 points and 15 rebounds. Luke Enos chipped in 14 points.

"Our size gave them problems," said BHSU Paul Sather.

Scott May led the Hardrockers with 13 points and A.J. Trennepohl netted 10.

"We didn't want to let Trennepohl or Robbie Fedor get going," said Sather. "We wanted them to take difficult shots and earn everything they got."

"They are a top 10 team in the country for a reason," said Mines coach Jason Henry. "We didn't have an answer inside for Will John Johnson in the first half. Johnson had a double-double at halftime."

The Yellow Jackets held an early 9-4 lead and never trailed in the contest. Spencer Childress drained a 3-pointer giving BHSU a 37-30 halftime advantage.

The Jackets came out at the onset of the second half with an 8-0 run, including 3s by Childress and Clay Potorff, upping their lead to 45-30.

"Our guys deserve the credit," said Sather of his initial DAC title in four years as head coach for the Jackets. "If you win a conference championship, it's great. These guys are having a blast just being together."

Mines (17-9 overall, 6-6 DAC) visits Valley City State on Wednesday. BHSU travels to Jamestown College on Wednesday and Valley City State on Feb. 19.