DENVER – The University of Denver men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to South Dakota on Wednesday night, falling 71-70 in Magness Arena. The Pioneers' losing streak moved to four games.

Denver shot a season-best 55 percent at home in the loss.

Joe Rosga continued his ascension up the DU all-time scoring list, moving into sixth after pouring in a team-high 19 points.

Ade Murkey added 17 points, his third straight contest with at least 15 points, the longest stretch of his career.

Tory Stewart-Miller provided some scoring off the bench, putting up 14 points to go with six rebounds in 22 minutes of action.

Triston Simpson led the Coyotes with a game-high 20 points.

South Dakota started with a two-point lead at the first media timeout, 6-4.

The Coyotes pushed their lead to nine after Trey Burch-Manning converted an old-fashioned three-point play at 21-12, upping the senior's total to eight in the half.

USD held on to the advantage the rest of the half, leading 42-33.

Shooting kept Denver in it in the opening 20 minutes, going 11-for-20 from the field (55 percent).

South Dakota's 42 points were the most that they have scored against a Division I foe this season.

An explosive 9-0 run by the Pioneers to start the second half resulted in a tie game at 42-42. Rosga was the spark, scoring the first five of the points, igniting the crowd and bench.

Rosga wasn't done yet, giving DU its first lead since early at 48-47 on a pull-up jumper at the elbow. The basket also moved the St. Paul native in sole possession of sixth place on the program's all-time scoring list.

The Crimson and Gold lead grew to five after a 3 from Alperen Kurnaz at the 10:37 mark, giving the freshman his first points of the evening.

South Dakota immediately countered with a 7-0 game-changing run that put them up for good, capped off by a pair of made free throws from Simpson.

Denver, though, had a chance late, down 71-70 after a made basket from Cody Kelley put USD up, Ronnie Harrell Jr.'s floater at the end of regulation came up just short, giving the Coyotes the victory.

UP NEXT
The Pioneers (5-12, 0-3 Summit League) stay in Magness for a showdown with North Dakota on Saturday. Game is set for 1 p.m. MT and can be seen on Altitude 2.
 
PIONEER MOVEMENT:
Fans interested in making a donation to the men's basketball program can do so by CLICKING HERE. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.
  
-- PIONEER TOGETHER --
Like Denver Pioneers, Denver Men's Basketball on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers, @DU_MHoops on Twitter
Follow denverpioneers, du_mhoops on Instagram