Hawks Soar to Victory: Dominant 25-Point Triumph Over Denver

DENVER, Colo. – Sophomore Mier Panoam maintained his scoring streak in 2025, delivering his third consecutive 20-point game with a personal-best 28 on a career-high 12 successful attempts. Senior Amar Kuljuhovic demonstrated his prowess inside with 17 points and eight rebounds, as North Dakota dominated the host Denver on Thursday evening at Hamilton Gymnasium, explosively representing their first Summit League triumph with a 95-70 victory over the Pioneers.
 
The Hawks (7-11, 1-2 SL) established a rapid start that they missed during the initial weekend of league competition. UND capitalized on four steals, two of which resulted in transition dunks (+7 in first half/game transition points) from Treysen Eaglestaff and Panoam, holding a +11 edge in points off turnovers just before the under-8 media stoppage of the first half.
 
The Hawks maintained a shooting accuracy of 51.4% from the floor during the first twenty minutes, weathering ten consecutive misses from three-point territory to conclude at 5-of-18 from long range in the first half. Notable shots from deep included two each from junior Dariyus Woodson and redshirt freshman Zach Kraft, with the latter’s second shot contributing to the Hawks’ first 50-point first half against a Division I competitor this season.
 
North Dakota never once trailed in a game that found itself tied on just a single occasion. After halftime, UND’s lead was reduced to nine six minutes in, yet the Hawks maintained their aggressive play as their advantage ballooned to as much as 27 points, reflecting a season-high shooting night alongside a defensive display that produced a +13 margin in points off turnovers.
 
North Dakota will journey back east into the Sooner State for a matchup on Saturday evening against Oral Roberts. This will mark the 15^th historical face-off between both teams in a series that initiated in 2018-19 when UND entered the Summit League. ORU leads the series 9-5, but the Hawks triumphed twice last season, with the first onset breaking a seven-game losing streak. The Golden Eagles hold a 5-2 advantage against UND in Tulsa.
 
The action kicks off at 7 p.m. on January 11 from inside the Mabee Center. The contest can be watched on the Summit League Network. Fans can track the play live with Fighting Hawks men’s basketball radio broadcaster Paul Ralston on KSNR 100.3 FM The Cat or via the iHeart Radio app. Live statistics for the game will be accessible at www.FightingHawks.com.
 
Postgame Observations

• The Hawks’ 95 points represent the highest scored against a Division I adversary this season, marking the third instance where UND has surpassed 90 points and the seventh occasion a Sather-led UND team has achieved 90+ points in Summit League contests.
• UND achieved a season-best shooting percentage of 51.6% from the floor.
• UND recorded season highs in free throws made (24) and free throws attempted (32), with Kuljuhovic’s 11 attempts being the highest for a Hawk this season, as well as a career-best for the senior, alongside his seven makes from the line.
• UND’s 13 offensive rebounds signify the 17^th consecutive game with 12 or more such boards, and the Hawks have now bettered an opponent on the glass in 12 instances this season.
• The Hawks committed seven turnovers and have recorded nine or fewer turnovers in four of their last five encounters.
• UND’s 13 steals mark the second-highest total this season, the most against a DI opponent, and this is only the second occasion the Hawks have logged 10+ steals in a game this season.
• Panoam achieved a career-high in scoring for the second time in the last three games, providing his third consecutive 20-point performance with a career-best 12 successful shots.
• Kuljuhovic finished 5-of-7 from the floor with eight rebounds and a steal.
• Kraft (10 points) has consistently hit two or more three-point shots in his last six games and has succeeded in making three or more threes in five of those outings.
• Woodson contributed ten points along with two assists, two steals, and a block.
• Eaglestaff’s streak of double-digit scoring concluded at 23 games, recording eight points on 2-of-10 shooting.
• Eli King added eight points, four rebounds, four assists, four steals, and one block.
• North Dakota witnessed three Pioneers score in double figures; however, none exceeded twelve, while the Hawks restricted Denver’s leading scorer, Nicholas Shogbonyo, to just four points.
• Denver’s 17 turnovers were the most by a UND rival this season.
• The Hawks’ win marks the tenth all-time against Denver.
• UND’s record versus Summit League opponents under Sather improves to 34-53.
• This victory is the 21^st road win for the Hawks under Sather.

 
How It Unfolded
 
First Half
15:53 – UND 9, DU 4 (DU 1-of-last-6 FGs; UND 3 steals)
11:33 – UND 24, DU 15 (UND 66.7% FG, +9 PoT)
7:43 – UND 30, DU 19 (UND 1-of-last-8 3PT FG, 52.4% FG)
3:39 – UND 38, DU 27 (UND 7-1 run last 2:35, 1-of-last-10 3PT FG)
HALF – UND 51, DU 36
 
Second Half
15:10 – UND 56, DU 43 (DU 6-of-last-7 3PT FG)
11:03 – UND 63, DU 51 (UND +9 TOs)
7:43 – UND 74, DU 57
3:46 – UND 86, DU 64 (UND 50.8% FG, +15 PoT)
FINAL – UND 95, DU 70
 
For further details about North Dakota men’s basketball, visit FightingHawks.com or connect on social media @UNDmbasketball.

— UND —