Nov. 24, 2004

Box Score

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Despite a career double-double performance (27 points and 18 rebounds) from junior center Yemi Nicholson (Denver, Colo.), the Denver Pioneers were defeated by the Kansas State Wildcats, 60-56, on Wednesday night in Bramlage Coliseum.

"Our effort was there, we came out and played really hard and there is a lot positive to come out of tonight," said head coach Terry Carroll. "If you are going to win on the road you can't turn the ball over and you have to make your free throws."

Nicholson tallied Denver's first two buckets helping tie the game at 6-6 with 15:30 remaining in the first half. The only basket during the next four minutes was provided by freshman point guard Steve Wetrich (Ottumwa, Iowa), giving the Pioneers an 8-6 advantage with 11:46 left in the half.

The strong defense and sloppy shooting continued with both team's tied at 13-13 at the 7:55 mark of the first half. Another two points from Nicholson gave Denver a two-point advantage (21-19) with only 2:40 remaining in the half. K-State used a mini 6-1 run to end the first half with a 25-22 advantage.

The Pioneers shot a combined 35.6 percent (10-of-28) from the field compared to the 64.3 percent (18-of-28) in the first half of their last game.

Denver came out of the gate strong opening a four-point lead, but a three-point play by Jeremiah Massey pulled the Wildcats to within 33-32 with 15:05 left in the game. A fast-break bucket by sophomore Antonio Porch (Denver, Colo.) and a huge block by Nicholson put the Pioneers up 39-34 at the 11:38 mark of the second half.

K-state closed the gap to one, but a three-point play by Nicholson kept Denver ahead, 45-43, with 7:36 remaining in the game. A dunk by Tyler Hughes capped a 10-1 Wildcat run that put them up 53-46 with only 3:27 left in the contest. The Pioneers cut the margin to two, but K-State held on for a 60-56 victory.

Nicholson led all scores with 27. Massey led K-State with 15. Senior guards Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) and Rodney Billups (Denver, Colo.) combined for just six points. Nicholson (18) and Massey (9) led the rebounding efforts for both teams.

Denver shot just 40.7 percent (24-of-59) including a surprising 1-of-14 from long range.

The Pioneers return to action on Sunday, Nov. 28, when they host Eastern Washington in Hamilton Gymnasium at 2 p.m.