DENVER – The University of Denver men's basketball team used a second-half rally to erase a 14-point deficit and force overtime for a second straight day in Hamilton Gymnasium. The Pioneers, this time though, came up victorious, knocking off North Dakota 85-81 for their first Summit League victory this season.
Significant Stats:
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Jase Townsend led the Pioneers with a game-high 23 points.
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Eric Moenkhaus had his best game in a DU uniform, erupting for a career-high 17 points.
- DU tied a season-high 9 made 3s for a second straight contest.
Inside the Box Score:
- Filip Rebraca had a team-high 17 points for the Fighting Hawks.
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Sam Hines Jr. continued his strong freshman campaign with 13 points and six rebounds.
Turning Point:
An 18-4 run from the Pioneers in the second half to erase a double-digit deficit to take the lead at 55-53.
As it Happened:
First Half:
North Dakota opened with a 7-2 run in the first three minutes, forcing the Pioneers take burn an early timeout and regroup. The Fighting Hawks pushed to as many as 14 late before a late rally from Moenkhaus made it an eight-point contest, 45-37.
Second Half:
The Pioneers hit a cold spell to open the half, going five minutes until a dunk Hines Jr., sparking the team into action. An 18-4 run saw Denver go from double digits in the hole to taking its first lead of the game at 55-53 on a layup from
JaVonni Bickham. DU gave itself a chance late after Townsend tied things up with 45 seconds left in regulation with a jumper, giving him 20 points, at 69-69. Both teams picked up stops in to force overtime.
Overtime:
It was all Denver in the extra period, going 5-for-5 from the field, capped off by a 3 from Townsend to seal it with 30 seconds lift. Pioneers made their free throws late after UND was forced to play the foul game.
Up Next:
Denver (2-13, 1-7 Summit League) hits the road for a two-game series with Western Illinois. First game is next Friday in Macomb with a 6 pm MT tip.
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