DENVER – The University of Denver men's basketball program let North Dakota get away late as the Fighting Hawks went on to earn a 92-78 win on Thursday night inside Hamilton Gymnasium.

Touko Tainamo secured a double-double with 27 points and 13 rebounds.

In addition to Tainamo's solid performance, the Pioneers (14-13, 5-7) were led by Tommy Bruner, who recorded 11 points and four steals, and by Jaxon Brenchley, who added 11 points and two steals.

The Denver offense was impressive from downtown, pouring in eight threes on 26 attempts. Tainamo hit three treys for the Pioneers in the contest.

NOTES (Unless noted – record book references are from the modern DI era (1999-00)
Touko Tainamo finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds.

• Tainamo earned a double-double for the eighth time this season and the 14^th time in his career. Tainamo wrapped up his double-double with 1:29 to go in the first half.
• Tainamo finished in double figures for the third-straight game, the 22^nd time this season and the 51^st time in his career.
• Tainamo finished with 20+ points for the 11^th time this season and the 13^th time in his career.
• Tainamo finished with double digit rebounds for the eighth time this season and the 19^th time in his career. 

Tommy Bruner finished with 11 points and 4 steals.

• Bruner finished in double figures for the 29^th-straight game and the 99^th time in his career.
• In the first half, Bruner broke DU's single season points record, passing Matt Teahan's 659 points in the 1978-79 season.

Jaxon Brenchley finished with 11 points.

• Brenchley finished in double figures for the fourth-straight game, the 16^th time this season and the 20^th time in his career.

DeAndre Craig finished with 13 points.

• Craig finished in double figures for the second-straight game and the seventh time in his career.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
After falling behind 31-30, Denver went on a 5-0 run with 3:48 left in the first half to take a 35-31 lead. The Pioneers then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 41-37.

Denver narrowed its deficit to 52-49 before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Brenchley's layup, to seize a 56-52 lead with 11:16 to go in the contest. North Dakota re-asserted control, outscoring the Pioneers 40-22 the rest of the way to hand Denver the 92-78 loss. Denver took care of business in the paint, recording 24 of its 41 points in the lane.

UP NEXT:
Denver will close out its three-game homestand on Saturday afternoon when the Pioneers welcome North Dakota State to Hamilton Gymnasium for a 2 p.m. MT tipoff. The game will be broadcast live on Altitude TV, the Summit League Network and 104.3 The Fan HD3. 

Denver Tickets:  
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