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Fort Lewis survives South Dakota Mines on senior night

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Fort Lewis survives South Dakota Mines on senior night


Malik Whitaker led the way as one of three seniors honored

Malik Whitaker of Fort Lewis College dunks the ball on Dec. 16, 2023, while playing Westminster University at Whalen Gymnasium. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

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It wasn’t pretty, but the Fort Lewis men’s basketball team extended its winning streak to 12 games with some clutch shot-making and defensive stops in the second half, outlasting South Dakota Mines 86-83 on Saturday night.

The Skyhawks (24-2 overall and 19-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) went 15-0 at home in the regular season.

Fort Lewis shot 45% from the field, 43% from 3-point range and 95% from the free-throw line. Fort Lewis also honored seniors Malik Whitaker, Junior Garbrah and Sekou Dembele.

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South Dakota Mines fell to 11-15 overall and 9-11 in the RMAC after it shooting 46% from the field, 33% from the 3-point line and 80% from the charity stripe.

“I’m really proud of our seniors,” Skyhawks coach Bob Pietrack said. “On senior night, it’s a great win. Malik played outstanding, Junior has been such a solid brick in our house all year long and Sekou. We made big plays down the stretch, we made free throws and that was probably the difference in the game.”

Senior guard Malik Whitaker led the Skyhawks with a season-high 26 points on 10 of 14 shooting from the field, 3 of 5 from beyond the arc and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line along with nine rebounds. Junior guards Jhei-R Jones and Samier Kinsler had 15 and 12 points, respectively.

South Dakota Mines was led by guard Alejandro Rama’s 23 points after he shot 7-18 from the field, 3-13 from downtown and 6-7 from the line. Forward Keagen Smith also had 22 points for the Hardrockers.

Whitaker started the game with a 3-pointer but South Dakota Mines got two layups in transition and an open top-of-the-key 3-pointer to take a 7-3 lead with 15:25 left. The Hardrockers then took a 13-8 lead after Kinsler fouled a 3-point shooter.

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Fort Lewis was able to get consistent paint touches and that culminated in a lob from a baseline out-of-bounds play to Whitaker and he slammed it home with one hand to give the Skyhawks a 17-16 lead with 8:46 left in the first half.

The Hardrockers continued to hit outside while Fort Lewis struggled to finish through contact with Pietrack’s constant yell for a foul echoing in the background. Smith finished through the contact, was fouled and made the free-throw to go up 30-21 with 3:33 remaining in the first half.

Then Fort Lewis went inside numerous times and Whitaker continued a strong half with an old-school 3-point play to cut the South Dakota Mines lead to 35-32 with 1:31 left.

The Skyhawks turned up heat on the press and finished the half strong with back-to-back turnovers, which led to layups and a 38-35 lead with 21 seconds left. Fort Lewis led 38-37 at the half.

“I don’t think our energy has been great,” Pietrack said of the lackluster first half. “It’s been good in spurts but not great collectively. Our offense, even though we’re scoring, we can do a lot better than this with our efficiency.”

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The Hardrockers finished extremely well to start the second half with Fort Lewis pressure all over them. However, a Jones corner 3-pointer gave the Skyhawks a 48-47 lead with 16:39 left.

The Skyhawks forced some hurried and contested shots and on offense, Whitaker continued to shine with his silky-smooth stroke. A Jones 3-pointer gave the Skyhawks a 58-47 lead with 14:17 left.

Both teams then couldn’t stop each other, as Jones and Smith traded 3-pointers. Smith then had a layup inside, followed by a Garbrah 3-pointer, all in about a minute of game time.

Fort Lewis allowed the Hardrockers back in the game with long jump shots instead of getting the ball inside. South Dakota Mines was able to break the press and finish inside to cut the lead to 69-68 with 7:28 left.

Fort Lewis started getting paint touches again and Garbrah made free throws and Whitaker finished strong inside to push the Skyhawks’ lead to 73-68 with 5:10 left.

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Fort Lewis was lucky during that time, as South Dakota Mines got some open looks from 3-point range but couldn’t knock them down off crisp ball movement.

Agbim got inside and finished strong to increase the Skyhawks lead to 79-70 with 3:36 to go. But South Dakota Mines wouldn’t go away and got into the bonus and into the paint. Off two offensive rebounds, the Hardrockers finished inside to cut the Fort Lewis lead to 79-76 with 1:48 to go.

But Agbim showed why he’s one of the team’s leaders. Despite not shooting the ball well for the second straight game, he knocked down a huge 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock to give the Skyhawks some breathing room via an 82-76 lead with 1:12 left.

“That was probably the biggest shot of the game,” Pietrack said.

The game appeared over, but Jones made a terrible decision and fouled a 3-point shooter up six. Rima made the shot plus the foul to make it a 86-83 game with three seconds left. Rima tried to miss the free throw, and Whitaker grabbed the game-sealing rebound.

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With two games to go in the regular season, Garbrah has played in 124 games for the Skyhawks in his career and averaged 6.2 points per game.

“I’m thankful for my entire career,” Garbrah said. “I’m thankful and appreciative for my guys. We have so many elite athletes, elite basketball players and on top of that elite people.”

Dembele has played in 59 games for the Skyhawks and has averaged 4.7 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. Whitaker is averaging 12.1 points per game and 5.0 boards per game in his lone season for the Skyhawks.

Fort Lewis resumes action this upcoming Friday at Metropolitan State University of Denver, starting at 7 p.m.

bkelly@durangoherald.com

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South Dakota

TBD vs. South Dakota Coyotes – Live Score – March 31, 2026

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TBD vs. South Dakota Coyotes – Live Score – March 31, 2026



TBD vs. South Dakota Coyotes – Live Score – March 31, 2026 | FOX Sports


































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SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for March 28, 2026

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The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 28, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 28 drawing

11-42-43-59-61, Powerball: 25, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Lotto America numbers from March 28 drawing

15-29-30-32-35, Star Ball: 09, ASB: 05

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Dakota Cash numbers from March 28 drawing

04-08-13-31-35

Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 28 drawing

12-14-17-22-55, Bonus: 04

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Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

  • Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
  • Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
  • Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
  • Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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7 Most Rattlesnake Infested Areas in South Dakota

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7 Most Rattlesnake Infested Areas in South Dakota


There is only one rattlesnake native to South Dakota: the prairie rattlesnake. Also known as the Great Plains rattlesnake, it has the largest range of any rattlesnake in North America, stretching from Canada to Mexico.

In South Dakota, the prairie rattlesnake’s range crosses through the western parts of the state and lands around the Missouri River. The prairies, badlands, rocky outcrops, and river watersheds make ideal places for it to thrive, and these snakes are most often found in areas where that terrain provides them with room to hide and hunt.

These snakes are not aggressive toward humans, but they will defend themselves if threatened. That is why the areas below stand out, as they combine the kinds of habitat where prairie rattlesnakes are most likely to live with places where people also hike, camp, and explore.

Custer State Park

Herd of buffalo in Custer State Park.

Spanning 71,000 acres, Custer State Park is home to granite mountain peaks, lakes, and grasslands. Set in the Black Hills, its most noteworthy trails are up mountains such as Black Elk Peak, but its Wildlife Loop Road runs for 18 miles through open grasslands home to prairie dogs, bison, and other animals. These grasslands are a prairie rattlesnake’s preferred habitat, as they can slither through undetected and feed on prairie dogs, taking over their colonies.

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Prairie rattlesnakes can be found in other places in Custer State Park as well, including in lower-elevation campgrounds. There have been multiple reports of rattlesnakes wandering onto campgrounds. This can be especially dangerous for guests who wander outside without proper footwear. That’s why it’s critical to always wear good shoes or boots while in these parks to avoid a nasty bite if you accidentally step on one of these reptiles.

Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park in South Dakota, USA.
Badlands National Park in South Dakota, USA.

These badlands contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. The area was once covered by a sea, leaving behind many ancient marine creatures, such as the massive Mosasaurus. Mammal fossils are also common here, such as the Nimravid cat and the Brontothere, which likely grew to 8 to 16 feet tall and closely resembled modern rhinos. The badlands still provide rich habitat for wildlife, including prairie rattlesnakes, which are most often found in the prairies below the Badlands National Park’s iconic sedimentary rock formations.

The prairie rattlesnake feasts on a wide variety of prey in the park, from prairie dogs to burrowing owls and ferrets. It uses its heat-seeking pits to track its prey, while its tongue picks up particles in the air to “smell.” However, these snakes are not the only predators here. Red-tailed hawks and Golden Eagles are known to attack and eat these rattlesnakes, along with badgers.

Prairie rattlesnakes are most active from the spring to fall, but they can also come out in slightly cooler weather to bask in sunlight.

Lake Francis Case

Fishing boats on the eastern shore of Lake Francis Case.
Fishing boats on the eastern shore of Lake Francis Case. Image credit Joseph Kreiss via Shutterstock.

Lake Francis Case was formed by the Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River in the 1950s. It covers 102,000 acres with a maximum depth of 140 feet. Unfortunately, its creation flooded a Native American settlement and forced the community out. The lake is surrounded by prairies, from which hikers have seen prairie rattlesnakes. The lake is also home to a population of prairie dogs, which are prime prey for prairie rattlesnakes.

However, some prairie rattlesnakes can get closer to the shoreline, as Snake Creek Recreation Area is one of the better-known hotspots. They have been spotted hiding in the rocks and bushes by the lake. One trail known as a rattlesnake hotspot is the Shannon Trail, which connects the north and south campgrounds and overlooks Lake Francis Case.

George S. Mickelson Trail

George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota
George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota. By GeneMJ530, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

The George S. Mickelson Trail is a 109-mile-long trail along an abandoned rail line across western South Dakota in the Black Hills. It connects to multiple forests, state parks, and privately maintained trails, including areas near Custer State Park. Toward the lower-elevation southern end of the trail, rattlesnakes have been regularly sighted by hikers and South Dakota park authorities.

The southern end of the trail passes through several habitats that support the prairie rattlesnake, such as the lower-elevation Sheep Canyon, where the rattlesnakes can hide among rocks, and the grassy prairies near Custer, South Dakota. Hikers in South Dakota sometimes find these snakes in prairie dog holes, as prairie rattlesnakes occasionally stick their heads out of them.

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Wind Cave National Park

Natural Entrance to Wind Cave, Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota.
Natural Entrance to Wind Cave, Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota.

Wind Cave National Park comprises two distinct ecosystems: a vast cave and an above-ground prairie. The cave was of great importance to the Lakota people because it is central to their emergence story. What makes this park a good environment for rattlesnakes is its mixture of prairies and ponderosa forests. Prairie dogs in particular dig holes known as underground colonies or ‘towns,’ which prairie rattlesnakes often use as ambush sites to hunt prey.

Bison at Wind Cave National Park.
Bison at Wind Cave National Park.

The rattlesnakes can also take refuge in rocky outcrops, both to protect themselves from the elements and to ambush prey. During cooler parts of the year, snakes are more likely to bask in the sun, increasing the chance of human encounters. The Wind Cave National Park is also close to several other rattlesnake hotspots on this list, including Custer State Park.

Missouri River

Historic bridge carrying Interstate 90 over the Missouri River along the Lewis and Clark Trail in South Dakota
Historic bridge carrying Interstate 90 over the Missouri River along the Lewis and Clark Trail in South Dakota.

The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States, flowing for 2,341 miles from the Rocky Mountains of Montana down into the Mississippi River in Missouri. It flows through western and central South Dakota as well, providing water for a large semi-arid watershed. In South Dakota, the drier climate and the rocky bluffs, shorelines, and nearby prairie habitat along the river make this corridor one of the main areas where prairie rattlesnakes are found.

Prairie rattlesnakes are most strongly associated with western South Dakota and the lands around the Missouri River. They are more often found in rocky or grassy areas near the river than in the water itself, though they have been observed swimming and may occasionally enter the water. As a result, people fishing or hiking through the Missouri River valley should stay alert for this snake.

Black Hills National Forest

Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota
Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota. Photo Credit: Mary Key via Shutterstock.

The Black Hills National Forest is a massive area, covering 1.2 million acres of forests and mountains, or 110 miles long by 70 miles wide. It has been called an Island in the Plains, as it rises above the mostly flat landscape of the Great Plains.

The forest contains 1,300 miles of streams, 11 reservoirs, 353 miles of trails, and 30 campgrounds. While exploring this forest, hikers and campers may encounter rattlesnakes, especially in lower-elevation areas or in rocky areas. In hot summer weather, rattlesnakes often retreat from the heat, but during the cooler spring and fall months, they are more likely to bask in the open.

In some cases, hikers may not hear a warning rattle right away, which is one reason caution matters in rocky or brushy areas. These tails don’t provide the support needed for their rattles to make a sound. Wildlife experts believe this is an evolutionary change, since rattlesnakes that make a loud rattle are more likely to be killed by frightened hikers or campers.

Humans are rattlesnakes’ biggest predators

Prairie rattlesnakes face many threats, and encounters with humans are one of them. Rattlesnakes usually try to avoid people when they can, or warn them when someone gets too close. These incidents are often avoidable if you take proper precautions, such as wearing sturdy shoes, staying on trails, and being aware of what lies ahead. These snakes may be intimidating, but they are far more threatened by humans than we are by them.

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