Men's Basketball

Carson Johnson Triggers Hoops Win Against ORU, 98-87

7 Comments

Denver men’s basketball (9-11, 2-3) returned home to the hardwood, trying to snap a three-game conference losing streak. ORU came to Denver riding a 29-game regular-season road losing streak – ouch! (The NCAA record goes to the Towson Tigers at 41.) After the smoke cleared, make that 30 for ORU and a 98-87 Denver win.

Opening the game, the teams traded buckets until a trio of Carson Johnson threes and a bucket put Denver up 15-11 six minutes into the first half. At the midway mark, the teams were knotted at 22 with the Golden Eagles scoring 18 of their 22 points in the paint. ORU kept doing business in the paint but Denver pulled even 30-30 following a Jeremiah Burke bunny with 5 minutes left. Denver started hitting from outside as Zane Nelson buried a pair of threes and Julius Rollins made a 4-point play, 49-41, Following an ORU technical, Carson Johnson reeled off 7 points on an assortment of free throws and a field goal, 56-43. ORU countered with a pair of free throws, 56-45, to end the half.

Carson Johnson finished with the half with 22 points. DU shot 53% from the field and only 4 turnovers.

ORU chipped away at DU’s lead early in the second half but could get no closer than three points. Denver led 75-69 at the midway mark. Shortly thereafter, Denver went on a scoring run, capped by a Zane Nelson make, 80-69, and ORU timeout. DU then went on an 8-points run, 83-69, as the Pioneers pulled away with 7:45 remaining. Denver maintained the double-digit margin with five minutes remaining. Carson Johnson collected his 30th and 31st point with 1:15 left, 96-80. Denver ran out the remaining time, 98-87 final.

DU’s Carson Johnson finished with a gaudy 33 points and 4 rebounds in the winning effort. Jeremiah Burke finished with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Zane Nelson matched Burke’s output. Denver shot 54% from the field with only 9 turnovers.

Next up is a road swing through North Dakota. Thursday night is North Dakota State in Fargo and Saturday at North Dakota.

7 thoughts on “Carson Johnson Triggers Hoops Win Against ORU, 98-87”

  1. Regarding defense. I suggest an asst. coach from the Big 10. Watched NW/ Illinois last night and NW was playing a tight defense, but the Illini is too talented.
    Also, I vote a negative on the gray uniforms! What’s wrong with black or crimson & gold?
    I’m a subscriber to the Denver Gazette. They are seeming to ignore DU basketball except when they beat CSU and UNC. They also pay too much attention to CC hockey.

    Reply

    1. I agree with your points. DU should move away from black and grey uniforms and wear crimson and gold for brand consistency. New Balance didn’t have our proper colors. Hopefully, Under Armour can make proper kits.

      It is no secret that Denver’s defense must improve. That being said, assistant HC Spenser Bland has shown great talent coaching the offense. The best we have seen in years.

      Reply

      1. Are we even crimson and gold right now? It seems like we ditched crimson for some hideous candy apple red a few years ago. Did we switch back?

  3. I like the gray uniforms. And they still have the school colors on them with the stripes and the lettering. Personally, I have liked what UA has given the team so far. Clean, classy looks. Better than a lot of uniforms out there.

    The defense is improving and I like that they are giving different looks. Coach has said he doesn’t like zone defenses, but he is willing to try things knowing that it might help this team. That is the sign of a good coach…adaptability. The lack of a true big guy/rim protector is huge. Hopefully they can address that in the offseason. Getting killed in the paint, then perimeter defenders have to dig or help and that leaves guys open and we have to scramble. I would say for the most part, the effort is there. Sometimes it’s about the Jimmie’s and the Joe’s and not the X’s and O’s.

    Reply

Leave a Reply