DENVER The University of Denver men’s basketball team extended its home win streak to four games as they defeated the visiting UALR Trojans 54-40 in Magness Arena on Sunday.

 

Denver (7-9, 3-2 SBC) was led by senior center Adam Tanner (Melbourne, Australia), who had 14 points in the victory. Sophomore forward Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) and freshman guard Kyle Lewis (Denver, Colo.) also reached double figures in scoring with 13 and 11, respectively.

 

Tanner and Rohnert also led the Pioneers with four rebounds each while freshman forward Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) led all players with a career-high four assists.

 

“We worked really hard this week,” head coach Joe Scott said. “Tonight’s win was definitely a team effort. We’re trying to build a program, not just win games.”

 

After starting the game on an 11-3 run that included three-straight three-pointers, the Pioneers rolled in the first half and headed to the lockerroom ahead 28-18 at halftime. Tanner led all players with eight first half points.

 

UALR (11-5, 3-2 SBC) opened the second half with four straight points to trim Denver’s lead to six, but Rohnert answered with a three-pointer that sparked an 11-0 DU run.

 

During that run, a Tanner jumper put the Pioneers up by 11, their third double-figure lead of the game and one they would not relinquish, with 15:45 to play. The Trojans twice came within 11 but could not catch the Pioneers.

 

The Pioneers lost senior forward David Kummer (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), when he went down with a right fibula injury. Kummer was taken to a local hospital for X-rays. Prior to the injury, Kummer had seven points, a team high four steals, two assists and one rebound.

                                               

“David has given a lot of himself this season,” Scott said. “He has started to play really well, and with that, the team has started playing really well. His attitude will continue to help the team win. He deserves something good to come out of this.”

 

Kummer missed all of the 2006-07 season and most of the 2004-05 season with knee injuries.

 

“I feel bad for him. The team feels bad for him. He’s a big part of our team,” Scott said.

 

On the game, Denver hit 19-of-40 (47.5 percent) from the field while holding UALR to just 11-of-39 (28.2 percent) and forcing 22 Trojan turnovers to only 10 by the Pioneers.

 

Freshman guard Xander McNally (San Francisco, Calif.) added four points, three rebounds, four steals, three assists and a blocked shot for Denver.

 

UALR was led by John Fowler’s nine points while Lekheythan Malone led all players with seven rebounds.

 

The Pioneers continue SBC action in Magness Arena on Thursday, Jan. 17, when they take on Arkansas State in a 7:30 p.m. tip. Denver is 8-8 all-time against Arkansas State, splitting the two 2006-07 meetings with the Indians with each team winning at home.