Box Score

DENVER In the University of Denver men’s basketball home opener, the Pioneers defeated the Wyoming Cowboys, 76-65. Senior guard Adam Tanner (Melbourne, Australia) led all players with a career-high 21 points.

 

The game marked Denver’s fifth annual PACK THE HOUSE night at Magness Arena. With the victory, the Pioneers (2-1) moved to 3-2 in PACK THE HOUSE games, with all three wins coming over the Cowboys.

 

“We build a good lead and held it,” first year head coach Joe Scott said. “Our focus is to keep getting better every game, and we saw some progress tonight. Now we need to turn our attention to Northern Colorado on Saturday.”

 

Along with tying his career high in scoring, Tanner set a new career mark with six assists, while also nabbing five rebounds for the Pioneers.

 

Sophomore guard Tyler Bullock (Lincoln, Neb.) and freshman guard Kyle Lewis (Denver, Colo.) also reached double figures in scoring. Lewis bettered his career-high with 16 points while Bullock added a season-high 13 points along with five assists.

 

“Tanner was unbelievable tonight, and Tyler Bullock’s defense was really good,” Scott said.

 

Sophomore forward Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.), senior forward David Kummer (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and junior guard Joe Jackson (New Orleans, La.) led the Pioneers in rebounding with six boards each. Kummer and Rohnert also both added nine points, a season-high for Rohnert.

 

Wyoming (1-1) was led by junior guard Brandon Ewing’s 20 points. Senior guard Brad Jones also reached double figures in scoring with 16 and led all players with eight rebounds.

 

Denver led 35-24 at the half behind 11 first half points by Tanner. The Pioneers shot seven-of-12 (58.3 percent) from three point range while the Cowboys managed just one-of-seven for 14.3 percent.

 

On the game, the Pioneers went 12-of-21 (57.1 percent) from beyond the arc while shooting 56.1 percent from the field.

 

Although the Cowboys pulled within 10 points with just over four minutes remaining in the game, the Pioneers held on for their second win under Coach Scott.

 

Denver travels to Greeley, Colo., on Saturday for a 7 p.m. tip against Northern Colorado. The Pioneers have a 71-37 all-time record against the Bears, but the two teams split last season’s series with each team winning on its home court.

 

DU men’s basketball returns to action in Magness Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 27, when they take on the Colorado Buffaloes at 7 p.m.