When North Dakota (4-12, 0-3) traveled to Denver (6-11, 2-2) Saturday afternoon, the Pioneers faced a team they were expected to defeat on paper. But could they prove it on the court? Denver raced out to a strong first half behind freshman Coban Porter and coasted to a convincing 93-74 win at Hamilton Gym. We are witnessing a Denver team that just might be turning the corner. Now, can they keep the momentum going?
Largest win in nearly 3 years. This team keeps growing. Been fun to watch. Come check it out. https://t.co/d7PHHMie7o
— Chris Smith (@cm_swish) January 9, 2022
Denver dominated the first half behind 54% shooting and went to the break leading, 54-37. Five minutes into the game, a Coban Porter 3-point play put DU in front, 11-9. A pair of Javonni Bickham free throws put Denver up 21-16 with 10 minutes left in the half. Denver went on a run against the Fighting Hawks over the next four minutes to stretch the lead to 14, capped by a 3-point make by DU’s Jordan Johnson. Coban Porter, Tealyr Gatlin and Johnson shared the scoring down the stretch to take a 17 point margin to the lockerroom.
The second half was more of the same as DU’s bench outscored the North Dakota bench (41-19 for the game) and made timely 3-point buckets (10/20 for 50%). Denver kept up the pressure in the second half. A Mikey Henn 3-point make at 10:23 gave DU their largest lead at 26 points, 75-49. Denver traded points with the Hawks the rest of the way as Denver ended the game with five double-digit scorers – KJ Hunt (20), Caban Porter (20), Jordan Johnson (15), Touko Tainamo (11 points, 6 rebs,) and Mikey Henn(10).
This was DU’s most dominating win in years and featured more balance than Pioneer fans have seen since the Joe Scott years. Sure, North Dakota is a bad team but Denver needs to learn how to win after being the Summit League doormat for so long. They play a well-coached North Dakota State team (10-5, 2-1) on Monday at 7 pm and will be tested by a much more talented side.
Photo: University of Denver Athletics – Coban Porter
Well done, Pios!
Just what 5BWest recently ordered from the 3-point menu…
For DU men’s hoops, whipping a conference foe is pretty unusual in recent years, so we’ll add our ‘thumbs up’ for this new milestone in the Wulbrun rebuild…
Keep grinding boys!
I’m really liking the progress the program is making. They seem to compete hard which is the most important thing. Wins like this will come.
Emphatic win yesterday! That was a lot of fun to watch. Pios shot the ball very well from the outset, built the big halftime lead, and never looked back.
Clearly UND is a floundering team, but this is the kind of game the Pios need to win as they continue climbing out of the abyss. Another step in the right direction.
Big challenge looming tomorrow night with ND State. I’m hoping to make it over for that one.