The Denver Pioneers, ranked 245 in the NET rankings, pulled off a stunning 18-point upset over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, ranked 202, with a final score of 79-61. This victory marked a significant upset, as Denver was expected to win by only 4.5 points, according to the CHD Scout prediction. Carson Johnson led the charge for Denver, scoring 23 points and dishing out 5 assists, while Damon Wilkinson paced South Dakota State with 18 points and 6 rebounds. The 18-point margin of victory was a reflection of Denver's dominance, as they outscored South Dakota State 43-36 in the second half.
Denver Pioneers' Carson Johnson Scores 23 Points in Upset Victory
The game got off to a slow start for South Dakota State, as they managed only 25 points in the first half, while Denver scored 36. The Denver Pioneers' strong defensive effort held South Dakota State to just 25% shooting from beyond the arc, and they forced 12 turnovers, which led to 15 points for Denver. The second half saw South Dakota State attempt to mount a comeback, but Denver's offense was too much to handle, as they shot 52% from the field and made 7 three-pointers. Jeremiah Burke added 18 points and 12 rebounds for Denver, while Kalen Garry and Joe Sayler chipped in with 15 points each for South Dakota State. The 14-point halftime deficit proved too much for South Dakota State to overcome, as Denver cruised to a 79-61 victory.
Carson Johnson and Damon Wilkinson were the top performers in the game, with Johnson scoring 23 points and Wilkinson adding 18. Johnson's 5 assists were also a key factor in Denver's victory, as he helped to facilitate the offense and find open teammates. Jeremiah Burke's double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds was also a significant contribution to Denver's win, as he dominated the paint and grabbed crucial rebounds. For South Dakota State, Kalen Garry and Joe Sayler scored 15 points each, but it wasn't enough to overcome the strong team effort from Denver. Zane Nelson added 13 points and 5 rebounds for Denver, while Wilkinson's 6 rebounds led South Dakota State.
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Final
The box score revealed some telling statistics, as Denver outrebounded South Dakota State 38-29 and forced 12 turnovers, which led to 15 points. Denver's 52% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from beyond the arc were also key factors in their victory. South Dakota State, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 25% from three-point range and committing 12 turnovers. The 18-point margin of victory was also significant, as it marked one of the largest upsets of the season. Denver's 43 points in the second half were also a season high, as they pulled away from South Dakota State.
The CHD Scout prediction was correct, as Denver was predicted to win by 4.5 points. However, the actual margin of victory was 18 points, far exceeding the predicted score of 81-77. This upset victory marked a significant win for Denver, as they improved to 13-14 on the season. The CHD Scout model correctly identified Denver as the favorite, but underestimated the margin of victory. This win will likely boost Denver's confidence and momentum heading into their next game.
This game had real consequences for both teams' resumes, as it was a Quadrant 4 game for both Denver and South Dakota State. The win improved Denver's record to 13-14, while South Dakota State fell to 11-15. The 18-point margin of victory will also likely impact the NET rankings, as Denver's win over a team ranked 202 in the NET rankings will be viewed as a significant upset. South Dakota State's loss will likely drop them in the rankings, while Denver's win will likely boost their ranking. The Quadrant 4 designation for this game means that it will be viewed as a lower-quality win for Denver, but the margin of victory and dominant performance will still be taken into account.
Denver's next game is scheduled for February 15th against the Omaha Mavericks, while South Dakota State will face the North Dakota Fighting Hawks on February 17th. Both teams want to build on their recent performances, as Denver seeks to continue their momentum and South Dakota State attempts to bounce back from the upset loss.