Nov. 27, 2006

Box Score

CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Despite a career-high 15 points from senior guard Alex Cox (Queensland, Australia) and a game-high 10 rebounds from DaShawn Walker (Chicago, Ill.), the University of Denver men's basketball team dropped a 73-63 decision at Southern Utah Monday night. Justin Allen led all scorers with a career-high 25 points for the Thunderbirds, who defeated DU for the second time this season. The Pioneers fell to 1-5 on the season. Southern Utah improves to 4-2.

Cox finished 6-of-7 from the field, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. His previous career-high was 12 against Kennesaw State in 2005.

The Pioneers had 21 turnovers in the game that gave Southern Utah 25 points while SUU committed just 12. DU outrebounded Southern Utah 28-26.

Southern Utah stormed out of the gate to begin the second half with and 8-2 run that gave the Thunderbirds a nine-point lead at 42-33. But the Pioneers turned things around with an 11-0 run of their own that included three consecutive 3-point baskets, including a pair from Cox and one from Walker that gave DU its first lead since the first half at 44-42.

Southern Utah led 34-31 at halftime as the Thunderbirds turned 10 DU turnovers into nine points. The Pioneers kept it close with their best shooting half of the season in the first half, going 11-for-21 from the field (52.4 percent) including 3-of-5 from behind the 3-point line.

Walker led all players with 10 rebounds and also had 14 points for his third double-double of the season.

The Pioneers dropped to 0-3 on the road this season.

The Pioneers are next in action when the University of Denver will hold its annual PACK THE HOUSE promotion Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., when DU hosts Colorado State. The game can be seen live on Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain and heard live on KKFN AM 950 "The Fan".