MBB v South Dakota (4 JAN 15) - Highlights
MBB v South Dakota (4 JAN 15) - Post Game
MBB v South Dakota (4 JAN 15) - Full Game

DENVER - Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) scored 24 points, but it was not enough as the University of Denver men's basketball team to fell 74-69 to the South Dakota Coyotes Sunday afternoon at Magness Arena.

The Pioneers (7-8, 1-1 Summit League) were not able to hold an 11-point second half lead as Casey Kasperbauer scored all of his 15 points in the second half to lead the Coyotes (7-9, 1-1 Summit League) to The Summit League victory.

Marcus Byrd (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) scored 13 points and grabbed a career-high tying eight rebounds, while Jalen Love (Wichita, Kan.) scored 13 points and grabbed four rebounds. Cam Griffin (San Antonio, Texas) scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds.

"There was about a five to six minute stretch in the second half where some of our staples as a team faded away and they made their run," head coach Joe Scott said. "Our rebounding has been our Achilles heel this season and we gave up a lot of second chance points today."

With the Pioneers up 11 in the second half South Dakota went on a 28-4 run to take a 13-point lead 61-48. A furious 21-9 Denver run at the end came up short as the Pios were able to pull within one, 70-69 with five seconds remaining, but the Coyotes were able to escape with the victory.

Denver finished the game shooting 53.5 percent (23-of-43), while South Dakota shot 41.8 percent (23-of-55). The Pioneers shot 40.0 percent from behind the 3-point line (6-of-15). The Coyotes shot 53.8 percent (7-of-13) from 3-point range.

The Coyotes jumped on the Pioneers early opening a 10-2 lead at the start of the first half. Denver responded with an 18-9 run to take a 20-19 lead with 8:19 remaining in the half.

Denver took a 34-29 lead into the locker room.

The Crimson and Gold were led by Olson who had 12 points and two assists in the first half. Griffin added 10 points and four rebounds.

Denver shot 58.3 percent (14-of-24) from the floor while South Dakota hit for 39.3 percent (11-of-28) in the first half. The Pioneers hit for 37.5 percent (3-of-8) from behind the arc in the first half. The Coyotes shot 33.3 percent (2-of-6) from behind the 3-point line.

The Coyotes were led by Tyler Larson who scored 22 points. James Hunter had 12 points and five rebounds.

Denver will head on the road to take on Fort Wayne on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. MT in a game that can be heard on Mile High Sports Radio 94.1 FM.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets can do so by phone at 303-871-2336, in person at the Ritchie Center box office or through DenverPioneers.com by clicking here.

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