Carson Johnson’s historic season at the University of Denver came to an end on Friday night at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Johnson scored 17 points but also battled some foul problems as sixth-seeded Denver lost to third-seeded North Dakota, 83-67, in the quarterfinals of the Summit League tournament. The Pioneers finished the season with a 15-17 record.
Johnson went 9-of-10 from the free-throw line in the loss. The former Ankeny star also had four rebounds and two assists.
Denver appeared to be building some momentum for the postseason by going 5-1 to begin the month of February. The Pioneers posted a 78-71 win at Summit League regular-season champion North Dakota State on Feb. 5, then followed with a 98-79 victory at North Dakota two days later.
After Johnson scored 25 points in Denver’s 82-80 win over St. Thomas on its Senior Day on Feb. 21, the Pioneers closed out the regular season with a 102-80 loss at Oral Roberts on Feb. 26. Ty Harper erupted for 47 points, making all 21 of his free throws, as the Golden Eagles earned just their third win in league play.
Then, on Friday, the Pioneers ran into another unstoppable player. Greyson Uelmen led North Dakota with 41 points, going 13-of-19 from the field and 12-of-18 from the charity stripe.
Eli King went 5-of-9 from 3-point range and added 20 points for the Fighting Hawks (17-16), who will play St. Thomas in Saturday’s semifinals. King started his career at Iowa State before transferring to North Dakota.
Johnson finished in double figures in the final 20 games of the season, 30 times this year and now 50 times in his career. He finished second in Denver’s single-season history with 642 points and ranks third for the most 3-pointers in a season with 87.
Johnson was named both the Summit League Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year after transferring to Denver from Minnesota State Moorhead. He was also selected to the Summit League first team.