FARGO, N.D. – The University of Denver men's basketball couldn't withstand a second-half North Dakota State run on Saturday, falling 82-70 in the Scheels Center. The Pioneers were led by Ade Murkey's team-high 24 points.

Jase Townsend added 23 points in the loss, his fourth straight game with at least 19.

Summit League Preseason Player of the Year Vinnie Shahid poured in a game-high 29 points for the Bison.

North Dakota State opened strong, jumping out to a 12-4 lead five minutes, before a pair of free throws from Alperen Kurnaz snapped the Bison run.

A 3-pointer from Cameron Hunter at the 9:49 mark gave NDSU its first double-digit lead of the ballgame at 21-10, forcing the Crimson and Gold to call a timeout.

Denver fought itself back into the game with a 7-0 run after the timeout, capped off by a layup from Taelyr Gatlin.

A late rally from the Pioneers made it a six-point contest at the half, 29-23 in favor of North Dakota State.

Townsend led DU in the opening 20 minutes, scoring nine points, most by any player on both teams.

The Bison opened the second half fast before the Pioneers reeled them in after a 3 from Murkey made it 38-32 at the under-16 media timeout.

A deep 3 from Townsend tied things up at 41-41 with 13:04 left in regulation, upping the sophomore's total to 14 points.

NDSU got the separation it was looking for though with a game-ending 16-3 run over the next 3:11, pushing the lead to 57-44.

DU got no closer than nine points the rest of the way.

UP NEXT:
Denver (5-17, 1-7 Summit League) returns home for its final meeting with South Dakota on Thursday in Magness Arena. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. and can be seen on Altitude.
 
2020 DENVER ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME RECEPTION: Denver announced its 2020 Athletic Hall of Fame class in January. The inductees will be honored on the DU campus May 16. For more information, registration for the reception and donation information, click here. 

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