Denver, Colo.: The Regis Ranger men's basketball team scratched out a 75-66 victory over Black Hills State to win their third game in a row.  The Rangers trailed by one at halftime but outscored the Yellow Jackets by 10 to even the overall series between the two teams.

Regis' (7-12, 4-10 RMAC) three-game streak is their longest since January 2008 and the longest in the RMAC since a four-game streak in 2005-06.  The Rangers jumped out to an early 7-0 run before Black Hills State (8-10, 6-8 RMAC) responded with a 10-2 run to take a 10-9 lead.

The Rangers led for much of the first half including a 23-15 lead with 7:33 left following a three pointer by Bryan Siefker.  A 12-3 run highlighted by a Riley Ryan three gave the lead back to BHSU, 27-26 with 3:46 left in the first half.  Mike MacKelvie, who paced the Rangers with 19 points, cut the lead to 32-31 just before half to give the Rangers some momentum.

For most of the first half of the second stanza, the score went back and forth.  Nine straight points by Regis gave them a 60-51 cushion with just under 10 minutes left in regulation.  That is when the Ranger defense stepped up and didn't allow a field goal by Black Hills State for a five and a half minute stretch and was able to take a 65-54 lead with 6:43 left in the game.

MacKelvie's jump shot with 4:13 left gave the Rangers their biggest lead of the game at 70-58, but just when it looked like the Yellow Jackets would go quietly they didn't allow the Rangers to score for over three minutes and cut the lead to 70-62.  They got as close as six with under a minute left but Regis hit free throws down the stretch to celebrate the 75-66 win.

The Rangers turned the ball over just nine times, while forcing Black Hills State into 14.  The Yellow Jackets out-rebounded the Rangers 37-33 with RU shooting 47.5 percent from the field.

MacKelvie nearly missed a double-double with nine rebounds to go alone with three steals.  He went 8-for-14 overall including 2-of-3 from long range.  Spenser Reeb came off the bench to put in 13 points after sitting out the last two games due to injury.  

Jon Conley was near perfect from the floor, 6-of-7 for 12 points and narrowly missed a double-double as well with nine caroms.   Jarrett Green and Kevin Marshall each pumped in 11 points with Marshall dishing out seven assists.

Regis will welcome Chadron State to the Regis Fieldhouse on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.