Nov. 30, 2004

LOS ANGELES -

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THE GAME - The Pioneers (2-1) travel to Los Angeles, Calif. to battle Loyola Marymount on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. MT. Denver defeated reigning Big Sky Conference Champion Eastern Washington, 80-64 on Sunday, Nov. 28. Loyola Marymount (2-1) is coming off a 79-72 loss at UC Riverside last Saturday, Nov. 27. The game can be heard live on KKFN AM 950 "The Fan" and DenverPioneers.com. Mitch Hyder (play-by-play) will call the game with the pregame show beginning at 7:45 p.m. MT. Live stats are also available on DenverPioneers.com.

SERIES HISTORY & NOTES - This is only the second meeting between these two universities. LMU defeated the Pioneers, 84-83, in double-overtime last season in Denver. Senior point guard Rodney Billups recorded 20 points in the loss.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' - The Pioneers haven't played a game in California since the 1982-83 season when they were defeated at St. Mary's (Calif.), 59-45. Denver will return to the West Coast on Dec. 23 to play Cal State Fullerton.

ALL-SUN BELT - Senior guard Erik Benzel was named to the 2004-05 preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team after his solid efforts during the 2003-04 season. The Pioneers were picked to finish sixth in the West Division.

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS - Denver (2-1) comes off a 80-64 win over Eastern Washington on Sunday., Nov. 28. The Pioneers are 0-1 on the road. Junior center Yemi Nicholson is averaging a double-double with 18.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Benzel has added 11 points and three assists per game. First-year junior transfer Andrew Carpenter has contributed 10.7 points and 6.7 rebounds, while senior point guard Rodney Billups has added nine points and a team-best 6.7 assists. Sophomore forward Antonio Porch is averaging 8.3 points and five rebounds thus far this season.