FARGO, N.D. - Joe Rosga (St. Paul, Minn.) led the Pioneers with 16 points as the University of Denver men's basketball team dropped its second consecutive Summit League game to the North Dakota State Bison 75-49 Sunday afternoon at Scheels Arena.

North Dakota State (11-4, 1-0 SL) shot the ball well all game and opened a 52-37 lead early in the second half and the Pioneers (8-7, 0-2 SL) could never answer as the Bison won their Summit League opener.

The Bison held a 28-14 rebounding advantage and an 8-3 margin on the offensive end, which led to a 11-4 advantage in second chance points.

NDSU improved to 44-2 at home since the start of the 2012-13 season and extended their current home winning streak to 31, which is good for the sixth-best in the country and best in Summit League history.

Denver could not contain Paul Miller who knocked down a game-high four 3-pointers and scored 18 points. Bryant Rucker (Frisco, Texas) scored 12 points for the Pioneers. Carlin Dupree came in off the bench for the Bison and added 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting.

The game started back-and-forth with NDSU holding a one-point advantage, 15-14 before going on a 10-0 run to open a 25-14 lead, led by Miller who scored 13 of the Bison's first 25 points. North Dakota State maintained an 11-point advantage, 32-21 before Denver went on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 32-27. NDSU's Kory Brown finished the first half scoring with the old-fashion 3-point play.

The Bison took a 35-27 lead into the locker room.

NDSU opened the first half hitting 13 of their first 18 shots, but Denver's defense was able to hold them to 1-of-6 to end the first 20 minutes. Miller led all first half scorers with 13 points. Bryant Rucker (Frisco, Texas) and Rosga had eight points apiece to lead the Pioneers. Jake Pemberton (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) added five points and two assists in the first 20 minutes.

The Pioneers shot 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from the floor, and the Bison shot 58.3 percent (14-of-24) in the first 20 minutes of action. Denver hit 37.5 percent (3-of-8) from behind the arc in the opening half. NDSU shot 60.0 percent (3-of-5) from behind the 3-point line in the first half. Both teams were a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

Denver shot 47.4 percent (18-of-38) in the game, while North Dakota State shot 61.7 percent (29-of-47). The Pioneers shot 20.0 percent from behind the 3-point line (3-of-15). The Bison hit a red-hot 66.7 percent (8-of-12) in the contest from 3-point range.

The Bison had four players finish in double-figures in scoring.

Notes: The Pioneers have now hit a 3-pointer in 300 consecutive games.

Denver will head home for their Summit League home opener on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. MT to take on Oral Roberts. The game can be seen on ROOT Sports with Jerry Schemmel and Greg Lackey on the call. The game can also be heard on Mile High Sports Radio AM1340 with Raj Sharan on play-by-play duties and streamed on Pioneer Vision via audio. For subscription information to Pioneer Vision please visit www.denverpioneers.com.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets to upcoming Denver men's basketball home games 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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