VERMILLION, S.D. – The University of Denver men's basketball team gave South Dakota all it could handle before falling 80-78 on Sunday at the Sanford Coyote Sport Center. The Pioneers fought their way back into with a strong second half, nearly erasing an 11-point Coyote deficit.

Jase Townsend had it going, finishing with a game-high 26 points and nine rebounds. The Dallas native was an efficient 9-for-11 shooting on the day, going 3-for-4 from beyond the arc.

It was the fifth time in the last seven games the former Skyline High standout has recorded at least 22 points.

Ade Murkey added 19 points and seven rebounds.

DU got a third scoring effort from Robert Jones, who notched 15 points, his first game in double figures since Nov. 30.

USD was led by Summit League leading-scorer Tyler Hagedorn, who poured in 26 points.

The Crimson and Gold's 78 points scored marked a season high.

South Dakota jumped out in front quick with a 10-2 run in the first 2:37, forcing Denver to call a timeout to talk things over. The Pioneers came and got a bucket from Jones to snap the Coyote run.

USD took its first double digit lead midway through the opening 20 minutes after a layup from Stanley Umude, giving him five points on the afternoon.

A three-point play from Jones kept it close for DU, making it 33-26 South Dakota. For the freshman big man, it was his seventh point of the day.

Pioneers held ground rest of the half, going into the break trailing 38-31.

Ball security was key for the Crimson and Gold, finishing with just five turnovers in the half.

Townsend kept up his scoring ways, pouring in 11 points in 18 minutes of action.

Denver opened strong, cutting the USD lead to four at 42-38 after a 3 from Taelyr Gatlin at the 16:45 mark.

South Dakota responded with a 5-0 run of its own to take a nine-point advantage into the under-16 media timeout, up 47-38.

Tyler Peterson gave the Coyotes their big lead of the evening at 59-48 after converting a three-point play at the 10:53 mark.

But the Pioneers showed their mettle, going on a 24-15 run over the next nine minutes to make it two-point contest late, trailing 74-72 with 1:13 left on the clock. The combination of Jones, Murkey and Townsend was the key during the run, getting to the line and being aggressive at the rim.

Denver had a chance late after Townsend stole the ball on a Coyote possession, resulting in Murkey getting fouled and going to the line. The senior only converted one of his free throw chances, making it a 76-74 game.

But South Dakota followed with two free throws from Cody Kelley and DU never got closer than two the rest of the way after being forced to foul.

UP NEXT:
Denver (4-13, 0-3 Summit League) heads home for a showdown with South Dakota State on Wednesday. Game is set for 7 p.m. MT and can be seen on Altitude 2.

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