VERMILLION, S.D. – The University of Denver men's basketball program got a couple of impressive performances from Tommy Bruner and Touko Tainamo, but couldn't win in overtime this time around, falling to South Dakota 92-86 on Thursday night at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
The Pioneers (13-12, 4-6) had three players score in double figures, led by Tommy Bruner, who had 30 points and seven assists. Touko Tainamo tacked on a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds and Jaxon Brenchley helped out with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Tainamo pulled down four offensive rebounds to pace the Denver offense which grabbed 12 boards and turned them into 15 second chance points.
NOTES (Unless noted – record book references are from the modern DI era (1999-00)
- Denver and South Dakota went to overtime for the second time this season, the first time Denver has played overtime with the same team twice in a season since playing North Dakota twice in overtime in 2021.
- The Pioneers finished above 80 points for the 15th time this season, matching their total from the two previous years combined. 15 80+ point games ties for the ninth-most in Denver's entire program history.
Touko Tainamo finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
- Tainamo earned a double-double for the seventh time this season and the 13th time in his career
- Tainamo finished in double figures for the 20th time this season and the 49th time in his career.
- Tainamo finished with 20+ points for the 10th time this season and the 12th time in his career.
- Tainamo hit each of his first three three-pointers in the opening three minutes.
- Tainamo is one point away from becoming the 17th Pioneer in the modern era and the 45th Pioneer overall to reach 1000 career points.
Tommy Bruner finished with 30 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds.
- Bruner finished in double figures for the 27th-straight game and the 97th time in his career.
- Bruner finished with 20+ points for the second-straight game, the 18th time this season and the 26th time in his career.
- Bruner finished with 30+ points for the eighth time this season and the ninth time in his career.
- Bruner finished with 5+ assists for the 12th time this season and the 40th time in his career.
- With his 12 points in the first half, Bruner's points total for the season (620 at halftime) broke Denver's modern DI points record in a season, passing Yemi Nicholson's 616 in the 2005-06 season.
Jaxon Brenchley finished with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
- Brenchley finished in double figures for the second-straight game, the 14th time this season and the 18th time in his career.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After jumping out to a 27-25 advantage, Denver went on a 6-0 run with 6:54 left in the first half to increase its lead to 33-25. The Pioneers then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 46-41.
Denver narrowed its deficit to 48-46 before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Tainamo's layup, to seize a 53-48 lead with 15:54 to go in the contest. The Coyotes then fought back to even things up at 79-79 and send the game to overtime. Denver made the most of five offensive rebounds to tack on eight second chance points out of 38 total in the period.
South Dakota then snagged an 86-81 advantage with 1:41 left in the first overtime before Denver responded by going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Brenchley's three, to even the score at 86 all with 39 seconds to go in the period. The Pioneers could not turn their rally into a victory, as the Coyotes outscored them 6-0 the rest of the way to hand Denver the 92-86 loss.
UP NEXT:
Denver will begin a three-game homestand on Saturday afternoon when the Pioneers welcome St. Thomas to the Mile High City. Tipoff in Hamilton Gymnasium is set for 3 p.m. MT and the game will be broadcast live on the Summit League Network and 104.3 The Fan HD3.
Denver Tickets: Single game tickets are on sale now. Secure your seat today by clicking here.
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