Box Score Feb. 25, 2015 MBB at South Dakota (25 FEB 15)) - Audio Only
VERMILLION, S.D. - Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) hit a career-high seven 3-pointers while scoring 27 points as the University of Denver men's basketball team ran past the South Dakota Coyotes Wednesday night at the DakotaDome, 66-48.
The Pioneers (12-16, 6-9 Summit League) defeated the Coyotes (15-15, 8-7 Summit League) winning back-to-back road games for the first time this season.
Denver came into the second half with a seven point lead and extended it into a double-digit advantage with a 9-3 run over the first 4:31 of the half to give them a 46-33 lead. Back-to-back layups by Christian Mackey (Kirtland, N.M.) put the Pios up 50-35 and DU never looked back en route to the victory.
"Saturday {at Western Illinois} was close to a flawless road win," said head coach Joe Scott. "Today's performance was even better, as we came ready to play as a team. Both our offense and defense were very good. As everyone played well, Olson and Delaney played really well."
The Pioneers used balanced scoring and smothering defense, holding the Coyotes to just 18 second half points.
Cam Delaney (Harker Heights, Texas) was a difference maker tonight scoring a career-high 11 points and tied career-highs with five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Cam Griffin (San Antonio, Texas) added 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Crimson and Gold trailed 2-0 to start the game and after a Delaney bucket gave DU a 4-2 lead, the Pios never trailed again.
The Crimson and Gold outrebounded the Coyotes 30-26. Denver had 17 assists on 25 made field goals.
Nate Engesser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Mackey both scored six points. Marcus Byrd (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) added four points and four rebounds.
Bryant Rucker (Frisco, Texas) scored two points and had three assists off the bench.
Denver shot a scorching 64.1 percent (25-of-39), to South Dakota's 33.3 percent (18-of-54) from the field. The Pioneers made 50.0 percent from behind the 3-point line (9-of-18). Denver held the Coyotes to just 13.3 percent (2-of-15) from 3-point range.
The first half was the Olson Show as he scored 22 points, knocking down six 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes.
Denver opened the half on a 24-7 run, but the home team answered with a 14-2 run to get back into the game.
Denver took a 37-30 lead into the locker room.
The Crimson and Gold got a career-high seven points in the first half by Delaney. Griffin scored four points, had six rebounds and dished out three assists in the first half.
Denver shot a red-hot 68.2 percent (15-of-22) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. South Dakota shot 39.3 percent (11-of-28) in the first half. The Pioneers hit for 63.6 percent (7-of-11) from behind the arc in the first half. The Coyotes shot just 22.2 percent (2-of-9) from behind the 3-point line in the first half.
South Dakota was led in the game by Tyler Larson who scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
Notes: Griffin played in his 100th career game. Olson played and started his 122nd game tying him with former Pioneer Chase Hallam for third all-time. Olson also passed Peter Faller and moved into sixth all-time on the Denver all-time scoring list. Jalen Love (Wichita, Kansas) missed his fourth straight game with an injury. Jake Pemberton (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) missed his second straight game due to illness.
Denver will head to Tulsa on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. MT to take on the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in their regular season finale. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and can also be heard on Mile High Sports Radio 94.1 FM with Raj Sharan on the call.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets to Denver home athletic events 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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