VERMILLION, S.D. – A 23-5 run to close the first half, and a balanced scoring attack, propelled the South Dakota men's basketball team to a 72-45 victory over Denver Wednesday night inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
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Sophomore
Stanley Umude led the Coyotes with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, his third double-double of the season. Junior
Triston Simpson added 13 points, junior
Cody Kelley 12 points and senior
Trey Burch-Manning 11 points as USD improves to 11-15 overall and 5-8 in the Summit League.
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The victory gives South Dakota the season sweep over Denver, who falls to 7-20, 2-11. The Coyotes have also clinched their spot in the Summit League Tournament taking place March 9-12 in Sioux Falls.
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The 23-5 run started with 10-straight points to turn a four-point deficit into a six-point USD lead at 23-17 before the Coyotes closed the half leading 36-22. Â The first stanza concluded with six-straight Coyote points, first a Burch-Manning free throw, followed by a jumper from Umude before Kelley sank three-straight free throws.
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Burch-Manning sank a long-range basket to open the second half and the Coyotes saw their lead balloon to as many as 30 points before hitting the final tally of 72-45. The 45 points are the lowest point total the Coyotes have held a Division I opponent to in the Division I era.
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South Dakota made 25-of-54 field goal attempts for 46.3 percent and sank 13 3-point baskets (13-of-29) as part of a 44.8 percent night from beyond the arc. Simpson dished five assists while Burch-Manning had four assists. Umude matched a season high of four blocked shots.
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David Nzekwesi led Denver with 14 points while Joe Rosga chipped in 13 points. All other Pioneers had five points or less. Denver shot 17-of-55 from the field for 30.9 percent.
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The Coyotes travel to South Dakota State for their final true road game of the regular season with the South Dakota Showdown Series presented by South Dakota Corn. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. inside Frost Arena.
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