Nov. 28, 2004

Box Score

DENVER - Junior transfer Andrew Carpenter (Toronto, Ontario) scored a career-high 20 points to help lead the Denver Pioneers to an 80-64 victory over reigning Big Sky Conference Champion Eastern Washington this afternoon in Hamilton Gymnasium. Sophomore forward Antonio Porch (Denver, Colo.) added a career- high 17 points and led the Pioneers in rebounds with seven. Denver improves to 2-1, while the Eagles fall to 1-2.

In the first half Denver forced 14 Eastern Washington turnovers, yet the Eagles were still 50 percent (11-of-22) from the field. Porch, senior guard Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) and Carpentar combined for 21 points in the first half, while senior guard Rodney Billups (Denver, Colo.) and junior forward Terrence Gordon (Denver, Colo.) each added five including Gordon's slam dunk to put Denver ahead 34-30.

Denver ended the first half leading 35-33, after being down by two points for most of the period. Porch's 3-pointer with 9:29 left tied it up 19-19 and the Pioneers never looked back.

The Pioneers came out raring in the second half, making 65.2 percent (15-of-23) of their field goal attempts. Denver shot just 40.5 percent (12-of-37) from the field in the first half. Denver led by as much as 18 points and scored 45 points in the second half.

"I'm really proud of the way the guys played, especially in the second half," said head coach Terry Carroll. "We came out and put our game on the floor. Both Antonio and Carpenter had great games and really got after it."

Benzel rebounded from being held scoreless against Kansas State last Wednesday with 17 points including the opening score. In the first half, Benzel scored seven points and added 10 in the second along with four rebounds and two assists. Junior center Yemi Nicholson (Aurora, Colo.) added 12 points, including two slam dunks.

Billups added seven points along with nine assists and four steals to help the Pioneers seal the win. Billups is now the tenth all-time on Denver steals list (103) and ninth all-time on assists list (239).

The Pioneers return to action this Wednesday, Dec. 1, when they travel to Los Angeles, Calif. to battle Loyola Marymount at 8 p.m. MT.