ANCHORAGE, Alaska – University of Denver junior guard Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) scored a team-high 16 points, pulled down five rebounds and dished out four assists, but the Pioneers fell 68-60 to Harvard at Sullivan Arena on Thanksgiving night.

Sophomore guard Jalen Love (Wichita, Kan.) added 12 points for the Pioneers (0-3), and junior guard Cam Griffin (San Antonio, Texas) had eight points and a team-best six rebounds.

“Our guards played better, which is a good sign, and we’re going to need that, but we need to develop consistency in our rebounding and defense,” said head coach Joe Scott. “It’s a point of emphasis. We need to keep working at it so that it becomes a consistent aspect of our game. Give Harvard credit. They played hard and competed hard, and it was a good college basketball game. They won the battles at the critical times of the game.”

Trailing by as many as 13 points in the second half, the Pioneers went on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 46-42 with 11:37 remaining. However, the Crimson (5-1) responded with their own 6-0 run, and DU couldn’t cut it closer than seven the rest of the way.

Harvard capitalized on a 38-23 rebounding advantage, including 14 on the offensive end that resulted in 17 second-chance points.

The Crimson were led by Steve Moundou-Missi’s 20 points and eight rebounds, while Wesley Saunders added 19 points and nine rebounds.

Senior forward Chris Udofia’s (Irving, Texas) had three blocks, leaving him just 11 shy of DU’s all-time record with 199 in his career.

Denver jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead, but Harvard responded with a 12-0 run to take the lead and held on for a 36-26 advantage at halftime. The Crimson out-rebounded DU 20-9, including eight on the offensive glass.

The Pioneers take on Pepperdine in the Consolation Semifinals of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout on Friday at 4 p.m. MT.

Individual game tickets for men's basketball are on sale now with prices starting at $9 for adults. Single-game tickets can be purchased in person at the Ritchie Center Box Office, by phone at 303-871-2336 or online at DenverPioneers.com/tickets. DU students are admitted to all Denver men's basketball games FREE with their Pioneer Card.

Group tickets are available for parties of 20 or more for a reduced price. Men's basketball lower bowl group tickets are $7. For more questions or to place a group ticket order, contact Adam Sizemore at adam.sizemore@du.edu or (303) 871-HOOP.

DU continues its commitment to provide the community with the most affordable and exciting entertainment in the Denver metro area.

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