University of Denver Senior Ade Murkey exploded for a school-record 42-point, 11- rebound performance in a 90-78 loss to South Dakota State in Brookings, S.D. In a horrible 5-21 season where not much has gone well for the last-place Pioneers, Murkey’s DU D-I record performance single-handedly kept the Pioneers close into the game’s final minutes and earned him a standing ovation from the South Dakota State crowd as he left the game near the end.
Murkey’s 42 points scored set a new DU Division I single-game record, wiping away B.J. Pratt’s record of 37 that stood on the books for over 20 years, and tied the DU overall school record set in 1989 when DU was playing NCAA Division II ball. Murkey also became the first Crimson and Gold player to have at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in a game since the program went Division I back in 1998. It is also just the eighth time since 2010 an NCAA player has recorded at least 42 points and 11 rebounds on the road. Murkey, a native of Minneapolis, also had a career-high five three pointers in the loss.
The Pioneers matched the Jackrabbits in field goal percentage (42%) and rebounds (40), and exceeded SDSU in three pointer percentage (36 vs 29) and free throw percentage (86 to 80%), but lost the turnover battle, 8-15 and steals, 4-7.
Douglas Wilson led the way for SDSU, pouring in a team-high 23 points, and Matt Dentlinger notched a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Jase Townsend’s 14 points was the only other Pioneer performance to reach double figures on the night.
The Pios now travel on to Omaha for Sunday’s 4:30 p.m. MT tip-off.
Truly an epic performance by Ade. He always had the physical skills but now he is pulling his floor game together as a senior leader. This just about ensures that he will have an opportunity to play in Europe or a developmental league professionally. His career trajectory also shows that players can develop at the mid-major level if they keep focusing on improving their game.
It should be noted that Ade is a good guy, too. Despite a bumpy two years, he works hard every game and you never see him complain. We are fortunate to have him and watch his development.
Bravo. Will be tough to lose a guy like Ade next year. Wish him well in his future endeavors, whatever they may be.
Murkey has been outstanding this year, one of the very very few bright spots in an otherwise dreadful season. He strikes me as a quite leader, a lead by example type player. I don’t know where he stands in terms all-time greats at DU, but he sure has been a pleasure to watch.