DENVER  – The University of Denver men's basketball program will open the 2024 Big Sky/Summit League Challenge on Wednesday night when the Pioneers welcome Idaho State to Hamilton Gymnasium. The second game of a women's and men's basketball double header is set for 7:30 p.m. MT on Altitude TV, the Summit League Network and 104.3 The Fan HD3.

Denver will wrap-up its Inaugural Big Sky/Summit League Challenge on Saturday when the Pioneers head to Northern Colorado (6 p.m. MT).

SUMMIT LEAGUE NETWORK:
New this year, fans can subscribe to the Summit League Network, the exclusive streaming home of all Denver men's and women's basketball home games and conference away games. For more information on the Summit League Network, click here. 

SERIES HISTORY:
Denver is 3-0 in its Division I history against Idaho State. The Pioneers won back-to-back years in Magness Arena in 2014 (54-38) and 2015 (79-69) before going on the road and getting a victory (70-69) last November. In an all-time series that dates back to 1956-57, Denver holds a 6-4 advantage.

DOUBLE DIGIT WORKLOAD:
Tommy Bruner leads the Pioneers with 87 career games in double figures, including 17-straight contests spanning back to the end of last season. Touko Tainamo is the next closest Pioneer with 41 games in double figures, including in 12 of the 15 games for Denver this season. 

100 GAMES PLAYED:
Both fifth-year guard Tommy Bruner and graduate student transfer Jaxon Brenchley have crossed the century mark in games played in their NCAA career this season.

LAST TIME OUT:
Tommy Bruner led all scorers with 32 points, and Touko Tainamo (15-20) and Jaxon Brenchley (20-10) both finished with double-doubles, but the Pioneers fell to Oral Roberts 89-86 in overtime on Sunday evening inside Hamilton Gymnasium. Tainamo's double-double was his fifth, and his 20 rebounds tied a school record, matching Yemi Nicholson's 20 boards vs. Troy on January 28, 2006. Tainamo, who has two of the top four rebounding performances in school history this season (18 at UC San Diego) became the seventh Pioneer to pull down 500 career rebounds.

BRUNER LEADS DENVER IN NATIONAL STATISTICS RANKINGS:

• Tommy Bruner ranks first in the country in points per game (24.7), first in free-throws made (105), second in field goals made (115).
• Touko Tainamo ranks 24th in free-throw attempts (92) and 23rd in free-throws made (70). Tainamo is also tied for 30th nationally in double-doubles with five.
• Jaxon Brenchley is 10th in the country in assist/turnover ratio (3.83).
• Isaiah Carr ranks 12th in the country in blocked shots (31).
• Denver entered the week fifth in the country in free-throw attempts per game (27.5) and second in free-throw makes per game (20.6).
• As a team, the Pioneers are 27th in scoring offense (84.4), 62nd in rebounds per game (39.73) and eighth in turnovers per game (9.2).

UP NEXT:
Denver will close out the Big Sky/Summit League Challenge on Saturday when the Pioneers travel to Northern Colorado. The game is also part of a women's and men's basketball double header, with the men's game scheduled to tip at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN+ and 104.3 the Fan HD3.

Denver Tickets:  
Season and single game tickets are on sale now. Secure your seat today by clicking here.                 

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