Denver men’s basketball (12-14, 5-6) went to Grand Forks, North Dakota Saturday afternoon to face the streaking Fighting Hawks. Fresh off a win against (then) conference undefeated NDSU, the Pioneers looked to put the brakes on the Fighting Hawks six-game winning streak. Three DU players scored 20+ points but it was solid, complimentary defense that aided Denver in the win. DU put together a Dakotas road show, leading the entire game from start to finish.
Denver took off against North Dakota in the first half, 43-27. Denver shot a blistering 60% from the field to 30% for the Fighting Hawks. Denver was 5-11 from downtown and UND was a tepid 1-11. Logan Kinsey and Zane Nelson led the outburst with a dozen points each and Gabe Oldham hauled down 6 rebounds.
Zane Nelson started the scoring in the second half, 45-27. A Logan Kinsey dunk capped a solid first five minutes, 54-38, as DU kept their foot on the gas. UND made a push as Greyson Uelman canned a Fighting Hawks three-point make, 65-54, DU. UND cut Denver’s lead to single digits, 70-63, on a Uelman layup. Jeremiah Burke and Carson Johnson responded to build back the DU lead with five minutes remaining, 79-65. Each time the Fighting Hawks scored, Denver seemed to respond with red-hot shooting from the field. Heading into the final minutes Denver held a 13 rebound edge in a team effort crashing the boards. The final minutes were academic as Denver coasted – 98-79 final.
Denver only had 8 turnovers and out-rebounded North Dakota by 15. Carson Johnson, Burke and Kinsey scored 22, 20 and 20 respectively. Kinsey, Oldham and Burke hauled down 25 boards.
Next up is South Dakota State at Hamilton Arena on Thursday at 7 pm MT.
DU showed killer instinct today. This Thursday Saturday road sweep was spectacular and to be honest, unexpected. I watched hoops today instead of lacrosse. LAX won also drubbing the AFA 10-2. Let’s beat CC tonight for a perfect Saturday.
Looks like the Pios have started to find balance on the offensive and defensive side of the court. Looking forward to what the stretch run looks like.
Another great win for the Pios yesterday! Really liking what this group has been building towards and showed this weekend. They have a tough stretch coming up but I have no doubt they will bring the fight. Hopefully those that doubted everything from the hire to the players that were brought in can recognize what this team is and how fun they are to watch. Exceeding many expectations for sure, but with the fight those in the program show, I have a feeling they aren’t done yet.
The frustration with DU hoops goes way before the current staff and players. Since 1906, Denver is among a handful of teams that have never won a conference title and gone to the NCAA Tournament. There will always be doubt until they prove otherwise. There are a handful of fans that have hope and a number that have been burned. It’s a new era and let’s hope the team can get over the hump. While I am willing to support them, I understand the doubt and cynicism from many and it is not their fault. Aside from a few seasons, the team has been treated as second fiddle and an after-thought by the administration and athletics department. It will take time to build trust.
This is what you want… for your team to be clicking on all cylinders in February with momentum building for March. All five remaining games are winnable. Every road game I have watched this season, the announcers always state: “This team is going to be tough come tournament time.”
Can’t wait to see what the rest of this season has in store for this team. LETS GO DU!
And Carson Johnson is named the Summit Leavue Peak Performer of the Week for the 2nd time in 4 weeks today.
Let’s keep it rollin, Pios!!!