Nov. 26, 2002

Box Score

MISSOULA, Mont. - The University of Denver men's basketball team could not overcome an 6-for-27 (22.2 percent) shooting performance in the first half as they were defeated by the University of Montana, 75-47, Tuesday night in Dahlberg Arena. The loss drops Denver to 0-2 on the year. Montana improves to 1-1.

Much like Saturday afternoon in Laramie, Wyo., the Pioneers began the game very cold, including a scoreless drought that lasted five minutes and only two made field goals in the first 10 minutes. Denver also lost the services of senior captain B. J. Pratt (San Antonio, Texas) who committed his third foul at the 8:42 mark and watched the rest of the first frame from the bench. The Pioneers' defense kept them in the game for the first 20 minutes but their shooting and Montana's consistency (15-for-30) gave the Grizzlies a 36-22 lead at the break.

"Everybody on the team can shoot the ball," said head coach Terry Carroll. "The disappointing thing about tonight was our defense, we were not aggressive or intense enough on the defensive end of the court."

The Pioneers' defense could not save them in the second half as the Grizzlies opened up a 73-41 lead at the five-minute mark. Montana used steady shooting (32-for-60) and defense (nine blocks and nine steals) to propel the Griz to the victory.

Denver was led by sophomore Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) with 12 points and senior point guard Dusty Wadlington (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) with nine points and three assists. Junior center Brett Starkey (Lakewood, Colo.) played well for the second consecutive game as he added six points and nine rebounds.

This is the first time the Pioneers have started 0-2 since 1997 when they also dropped two straight road games to Wyoming (73-50) and Portland (78-49). Denver started the last four seasons 1-1.

The Pioneers are next in action this Saturday, November 30, when they take on the Eagles from Eastern Washington University in Hamilton Gymnasium. Game time for Denver's home opener is set for 4 p.m.