Dec. 3, 2002

Box Score

DENVER - The University of Denver men's basketball team used a school-record 16 three-pointers to defeat UMKC, 83-66, Tuesday night at Magness Arena. The Pioneers' second consecutive win improves their record to 2-2. The Kangaroos fall to 0-3.

Sophomore guard Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) paced Denver in a game it led throughout. Benzel scored a team-high 22 points on 6-of-12 shooting from downtown. UMKC's Michael Watson led all scores with 33.

"It was nice to finally see us shoot the ball," said head coach Terry Carroll. "We came out with a lot on energy and we were able to run our sets early. This allowed us to be confident with the basketball and that showed up in our perimeter shooting."

The Pioneers had three other players in double-figures with guards B.J. Pratt (San Antonio, Texas) and Ryan Goral (Westminster, Colo.) each adding 11 points. Goral was perfect from the behind the arch, hitting all three of his attempts. Junior Center Brett Starkey (Lakewood, Colo.) grabbed a team-best seven rebounds to go along with his 10 points.

Sophomore guard Rodney Billups (Denver, Colo.) assisted on nine of Denver's 28 made shots.

The Pioneers took the lead with 16:58 remaining in the first half and never looked back. Their 48.4 percent (15-of-31) shooting, including 10 made threes gave the Pioneers an 45-29 edge at half. The 45 points is the most explosive output Denver has had in the first half since February 10, 2001, when the Pioneers scored 46 against North Texas.

Denver held off an early second half rally by the Kangaroos and opened up its largest lead of 25 (72-47) with 6:54 remaining.

The Pioneers will hit the road again as they travel to Ames, Iowa to compete in the Cyclone Challenge. Denver will face Binghamton University in the first round on Friday, December 6, at 4:30 p.m., MT.