DENVER, Colo. — South Dakota basketball's three game road win streak came to an end Thursday night to Denver in Hamilton Gymnasium. The Pioneers pulled away in the later parts of the second half for a 90-70 win.
 
Cameron Fens recorded his fourth straight double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds on 8-of-10 shooting, while Vince Buzelis poured in 19 points.
 
While the Coyotes shot a slightly higher percentage from the field (50.0% to 46.8%), the difference in the contest came off the offensive glass where the Pioneers held a 12-5 advantage and in turnovers where the Yotes had 11 to the Pios' four.
 
Behind five 3-pointers from Carson Johnson, the Pioneers knocked down 9-of-17 as a team, while USD connected on just 4-of-14 from deep.
 
South Dakota's defense held Denver to 38.2% in the first half, but seven USD turnovers turned into eight Denver points. The Pios held the lead for the majority of the first half and took their largest lead of the frame, 35-26, with 4:43 left in the half off a Johnson triple. An and-one from Buzelis, who had 10 points in the first half, started a Coyote push that would shrink the deficit to three, 37-34, heading into halftime.
 
The lead changed sides seven times in the first five minutes of the second half, with USD holding a 46-44 edge following six straight points from Jordan Crawford. The Pios, however, controlled the next four minutes by outscoring USD 17-5 for their first double-digit lead of the game, 61-51. Denver surged to close the game, scoring the last 12 points of the game to finish off a 90-70 win.
 
South Dakota will have a quick turnaround as they head to Tulsa, Oklahoma to face Oral Roberts Saturday at 7 p.m. from the Mabee Center.
 
Notes

• South Dakota moves to 14-14 on the season and 6-7 in the Summit League
• South Dakota and Denver split the regular season series, with each team picking up a win on its home floor
• Cameron Fens has now recorded a double-double in four straight games
• Vince Buzelis set a new career high for the second game in a row with 19 points (17 vs North Dakota, Feb. 11)
• The Yotes have been held to four made 3-pointers in each of the last two games