OMAHA – The University of Denver men's basketball program used a 16-4 run to open the second half to distance themselves from Omaha 95-80 in both teams' Summit League opener on Friday night inside Baxter Arena.
Tommy Bruner totaled 25 points and Touko Tainamo added 20 on the road Friday.
The Pioneers (9-5, 1-0) had three players score in double figures, led by Bruner, who had 25 points and eight assists.
Tainamo tacked on a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds and Isaiah Addo-Ankrah helped out with 14 points.
Denver collected 37 rebounds in Friday's game compared to Omaha's 31, led by Tainamo's 12 boards. The Pioneers also put in work on the offensive glass, turning 11 rebounds into 12 second chance points.
Notes:
Denver opened the second half on a 16-4 run, turning a three-point deficit at the intermission into a nine-point lead before the first media timeout.
The Pioneers win was their first in a Summit League regular season opener since December 28, 2016 against Oral Roberts (77-73).
- Friday night also marked Denver's first win in its first conference road game of the season since the Pioneers defeated Arkansas State 53-50 in the Pioneers Sun Belt Conference days in 2011-12.
Denver improved to 11-12 against Omaha, including 3-7 in Omaha.
- The Pioneers won at Omaha for the first time since February, 2016 (75-72, 02/06/16).
The Pioneers had six players finish with at least eight points on Friday.
Touko Tainamo finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
- Tainamo's double-double was his fourth of the season and the 10th of his career.
- Tainamo finished in double figures for the third-straight game, the 11th time this season and the 40th time in his career.
- Tainamo had 20+ points for the sixth time this season and the eighth time in his career.
- Tainamo finished with 10+ rebounds for the fourth time this season and the 15th time in his career.
Tommy Bruner finished with 25 points and 8 assists.
- Bruner finished in double figures for the 16-straight game and the 86th time of his career.
- Bruner finished with 20+ points for the ninth time this season and the 17th time in his career.
- Bruner finished with 8+ assists for the third time this season (vs. Colorado College, at Colorado State).
Isaiah Addo-Ankrah finished with 14 points.
- Addo-Ankrah finished in double figures for the fourth time this season and the 14th time in his collegiate career.
- Addo-Ankrah had zero points in the first half, and nine points in the first 3:02 of the second half.
How it Happened:
After falling behind 8-3, Denver went on a 6-0 run with 16:32 left in the first half to take a 9-8 lead. The Pioneers then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 43-40.
After intermission, Denver managed to gain control and had a 72-60 lead before going on a 10-0 run to grow the lead to 82-60 with 7:17 to go in the contest. The Mavericks narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Pioneers still cruised the rest of the way for the 95-80 win.
UP NEXT:
Denver will return home for its Summit League Hamilton debut on Sunday at 3 p.m. MT when the Pioneers welcome Oral Roberts to the Mile High City. The game will be broadcast live on Altitude TV, 104.3 the Fan HD3 and the Summit League Network.
Denver Tickets:
Season and single game tickets are on sale now. Secure your seat today by clicking here.
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