Mooney sparks South Dakota past Denver 82-71 (Dec 30, 2017)
VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) Matt Mooney tossed in 20 points with six steals and South Dakota breezed to an 82-71 victory over Denver in a Summit League opener on Saturday.
Triston Simpson scored 17 for the Coyotes (13-4), who won for the sixth time in seven games. Reserve Tyler Peterson added 13 points and five rebounds, while Tyler Hagedorn scored 11 with five boards.
Mooney had 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the first half as South Dakota took a 45-33 lead into the break. The Coyotes shot 58 percent in the opening half, while the Pioneers (6-9) made just 13 of 33 shots (39 percent).
Ade Murkey's 3-point play pulled Denver within 56-50 early in the second half, but Peterson had six points in an 11-3 run and South Dakota never looked back.
Amigo finished with 17 points and eight rebounds for the Pioneers, while Jake Pemberton added 14 points and Murkey and Joe Rosga scored 12. Rosga added six assists.
