In a thrilling matchup on Saturday night, the South Dakota Coyotes secured a 91-84 victory over the Denver Pioneers in Vermillion. Chase Forte was a standout player for the Coyotes, contributing significantly with 22 points and also grabbing seven rebounds, helping his team improve to a record of 10-7 overall and 1-1 in the Summit League.

Supporting Forte’s performance were Isaac Bruns and Cameron Fens. Bruns scored 21 points, demonstrating efficiency by hitting 5 of 9 shots from the field and converting 11 of 14 attempts from the charity stripe. In addition to his scoring, he also collected five rebounds. Meanwhile, Fens managed to chip in 10 points, shooting 3 of 4 from the field, although he struggled somewhat at the free-throw line, making only 4 of 10 attempts.

On the other side, the Pioneers, who fell to 6-11 and are now 0-2 in league play, were led by DeAndre Craig, who scored 15 points. Nicholas Shogbonyo provided a solid performance, contributing 13 points along with an impressive 12 rebounds. Sebastian Akins also had a notable game, dishing out eight assists while scoring 12 points, underscoring his role as a playmaker for Denver.

The contest showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, and the Coyotes’ ability to balance strong individual performances with effective teamwork led to their hard-fought victory.