Feb. 9, 2006

Box Score

DENVER (AP) - Courtney Lee scored 17 points and hit a reverse layup in the final 41 seconds as Western Kentucky ended Denver's 16-game home winning streak with a 71-70 victory Thursday night.

Anthony Winchester added 16 points for Western Kentucky (17-5, 9-1 Sun Belt Conference) who matched a season high with its fifth straight win. The Hilltoppers also matched their conference victory total of last season.

Yemi Nicholson led Denver (12-12, 5-6) with 28 points and 17 rebounds and became the fourth player in school history to have 1,200 points and 600 rebounds. He has 1,269 points and 638 rebounds and 25 career double-doubles.

DaShawn Walker had 21 points, but it wasn't enough in avoiding Denver's first home loss since Dec. 13, 2004. The loss was also the Pioneers' sixth straight regular season loss to Western Kentucky. They did stun Western Kentucky, 77-68 in the semifinals of last year's Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

The teams exchanged runs in the second half. After Alex Cox hit a 3-pointer to put Denver ahead 43-42, Boris Siakam scored four points in a 13-4 run to give the Hilltoppers a 55-47 lead.

But the Pioneers responded as Walker capped an 11-2 run with a 3-pointer and two free throws after Nicholson had accounted for the first six points to give them the lead, 58-57 with 7:56 left.

Western Kentucky took a 71-68 lead on Benson Callier's scoop shot and a reverse layup by Lee with 41 seconds left. Denver's Steve Wetrich layup made it a 1-point game with 30 seconds left and Denver regained possession after Ty Rogers missed the first free throw in a bonus opportunity.

Following a timeout, David Kummer missed a shot inside the paint with three seconds left and Nicholson missed the follow up tip before the Hilltoppers gained possession and ran out the clock.

The game was tied 38-38 at the half on Lee's 3-pointer that beat the buzzer.