VERMILLION, S.D.  – The University of Denver men's basketball team dropped its Summit League opener on Saturday, losing 93-54 to South Dakota in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.

Significant Stats:
- Tristan Green had a team-high 13 points in the loss.
- Eric Moenkhaus scored a season-high nine points.
- DU made a season-high 8 3s in the loss.

Inside the Box Score:
- Denver's 54 points were a new season low.
- Jase Townsend's double-figures scoring streak snapped with seven points.
 
Turning Point:
A 19-4 run from the Coyotes to push the lead from 20-15 to 39-19 with 4:13 left in the first half.

As it Happened:
 
First Half:
A big 19-4 run midway through the opening 20 minutes helped USD set the tone for the day. South Dakota used a hot-shooting performance to take a 49-24 lead into the break. The Coyotes hit nine 3s in the half while limiting the Pioneers to 33.3 percent shooting (10-for-30).
 
Second Half:
USD kept its foot on the gas in the second half, outscoring the Crimson and Gold 44-30. Pioneers were able to get it going a little from beyond the arc in the final period, going 5-for-12 (41.7 percent) from deep.
 
Up Next:
DU (1-7, 0-1 Summit League) wraps up the season series with the Coyotes on Sunday.
 
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here.

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