South Dakota State beats Denver 78-66

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BROOKINGS – The Jackrabbits turned in a workman-like performance to down Denver, 78-66, in Summit League action on Thursday night at Frost Arena.

South Dakota State built a double-digit lead 5 minutes into the game as Skyler Flatten knocked down three 3-pointers to help the Jacks to an 18-8 advantage with 14:51 to play in the first half.

The Pioneers pulled within two points – 23-21 – midway through the first half before SDSU scored eight straight points – capped off by Mike Daum’s basket in the paint – to go back up by 10 points with 7:39 to play.

The Jackrabbit lead bulged at 13 points following a David Jenkins trey with 1:01 left as SDSU led 47-36 at halftime.

The second half was more of the same as Denver closed to within seven points following Jase Townsend’s 3-pointer, but the Jacks scored six straight for another 13-point lead – 56-43 – with 13:08 on the clock.

Flatten’s 3-pointer at the 8:05 mark gave SDSU a 16-point advantage at 65-49, however, the Pioneers didn’t go away as they got within eight points – 68-60 – following back-to-back 3s by Joe Rosga with 1:42 to play.

Tevin King and Jenkins each converted four throws and King knocked down a late jumper to send Denver to its fifth loss against no wins in league action.

“Really proud of our guys how we came out in the first half, especially,” said SDSU head coach T.J. Otzelberger. “Offensive end – thought it was really a great half sharing the basketball; moving the ball; playing for each other – I thought that gave us great energy; credit to our players for their unselfishness and their work ethic that way.

“Again, it’s one of those games – really good first half; defensively, I thought we were solid throughout, but we’re still working to try to be at our best over 40 minutes, so it’s still a work in progress.”

Jenkins finished with a game-high 21 points as Flatten contributed 20 points and four assists for the Jacks, who improved to 13-6 overall and 3-1 in the Summit. King chipped in with 17 points, four assists and a steal, while Daum contributed 10 points and eight rebounds.

Rosga led the Pioneers with 16 points and three dimes as Ronnie Harrell added 13 points, six board, three assists and three steals for Denver, 5-14 and 0-5 in league play.

Game Notes (From SDSU Sports Information): South Dakota State is 15-6 all-time against Denver. The Jackrabbits have won five straight in the series. … Daum entered Thursday’s game 28th on the NCAA’s scoring list with 2,659 career points. He is now tied for 26th on the list alongside David Robinson (Navy) with 2,669 career points. … South Dakota State has hit 10 or more 3-pointers in nine games this season and 42 times under head coach T.J. Otzelberger. … Tevin King has scored in double figures in nine consecutive games. … Flatten scored 20 (or more) for the sixth time this season. … Jenkins has 921 career points through 53 career performances and is on pace to join the 1,000-point club later this month. … At least four Jackrabbits have scored in double figures in six consecutive games. … Attendance was 2,505.

SDSU plays host to Oral Roberts on Saturday in the Lamb Bonanza at Frost Arena. Tipoff is at 4:15 p.m.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 78, DENVER 66

Denver (5-14, 0-5 SL)

Joe Rosga 6-15 0-0 16, Ronnie Harrell Jr. 5-18 2-2 13, Donoven Carlisle 4-6 0-1 11, Ade Murkey 3-10 0-1 7, Abiola Akintola 2-3 0-0 4, Jase Townsend 4-7 0-0 10, Elvin Rodriguez 1-4 0-0 3, Tory Stewart-Miller 0-3 2-2 2, Joseph Lanzi 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-66 4-6 66.

South Dakota State (13-6, 3-1 SL)

David Jenkins 5-10 6-8 21, Skyler Flatten 6-11 3-4 20, Tevin King 6-9 4-4 17, Mike Daum 2-8 6-7 10, Alex Arians 3-6 0-0 6, Owen King 1-1 0-0 2, Matt Dentlinger 1-1 0-0 2, Alou Dillon 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-45 19-23 78.

Halftime – SDSU 47-36. 3-point goals – UD 12-25 (Rosga 4-8, Harrell 1-4, Carlisle 3-4, Murkey 1-3, Townsend 2-4, Rodriguez 1-2); SDSU 11-25 (Jenkins 5-9, Flatten 5-8, King 1-2, Daum 0-4, Arians 0-2). Rebounds – UD 34 (Harrell 6, Akintola 6, Stewart-Miller 6); SDSU 34 (Daum 8, Arians 8). Assists – UD 11 (Rosga 3, Harrell 3, Carlisle 3); SDSU 14 (Flatten 4, T. King 4). Steals – UD 6 (Harrell 3); SDSU 3 (T. King, O. King, Dentlinger). Blocks – SDSU 1 (Daum). Turnovers – UD 13; SDSU 16. Total fouls – UD 20; SDSU 14. Fouled out – None. Technical fouls – None. A – 2,505.