MBB v New Orleans (30 NOV 14) - Highlights
MBB v New Orleans (30 NOV 14) - Post Gamee
MBB v New Orleans (30 NOV 14) - Full Game Box Score

DENVER - The University of Denver men's basketball team beat the New Orleans Privateers 79-60 Sunday afternoon at Magness Arena. Five Pioneers scored in double figures to lead the team to their third-straight home win of the 2014-15 season.

The Pioneers were led by senior Brett Olson(Highlands Ranch, Colo.) who scored 15 points, dished out a career-high eight assists, grabbed three rebounds, blocked two shots and added two steals. Redshirt-junior forward Marcus Byrd(Highlands Ranch, Colo.) came off the bench and scored 13 points, pulled down five rebounds in a season high 30 minutes of play. Senior guard Cam Griffin(San Antonio, Texas) scored 14 points, while junior guard Jalen Love (Wichita, Kan.) added 11 points and two assists. Junior guard Nate Engesser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) rounded out the double-digit scorers finishing the game with 12 points and four assists.

"I thought we did a good job of playing 40 minutes," head coach Joe Scott said. "We played better the last 20 minutes. I think that is three games in a row where we have played better in the second half compared to the first."

The Crimson and Gold (3-2) started the second half with a 17-7 run which opened up a 21-point lead 59-38 over the Privateers (1-3). The lead never got smaller than 12 points after that.

The DU bench scored 31 points today led by Byrd's 13 and Engesser's 12.

"Byrd has been five for five in consistently going out and playing a good basketball game," Scott said. "Nate's minutes are going up game-by-game and this is the third game in a row where after I talked to him and let him know what I was looking for. Since then he has been on a three-game streak of producing consistently."

Denver finished the game shooting 54.7 percent (29-of-53), while UNO shot 42.6 percent (23-of-54). The Pioneers shot 37.5 percent from behind the 3-point line (9-of-24).

The Crimson and Gold were led in the first half by Love who scored 11 points on (4-of-6) shooting, while knocking down three 3-pointers. Engesser came off the bench to score 10 points. Olson scored nine points, dished out four assists and grabbed three rebounds.

Denver led at half 42-31 and had 14 assists on 16 made field goals and forced New Orleans into eight first half turnovers and turned that into 13 points.

The Pioneers shot 55.2 percent (16-of-29) from the floor while Privateers hit for 48.0 percent (12-of-25) in the first half. Denver shot 42.9 percent from behind the arc (6-of-14).

New Orleans native redshirt-freshman Duke Douglas scored six points and grabbed three rebounds.

All 12 Pioneers saw action in the game today and freshman Daniel Amigo(El Paso, Texas)returned after missing the Belmont game due to an ankle injury.

Colton Weisbrod led New Orleans with 17 points.

Notes: Denver had 23 assists on 29 field goals. This was the second time this season the Pioneers have had five players score in double-figures. The Pioneers outscored New Orleans 24-7 on points off of turnovers.

Denver heads back on the road to take on regional rival Wyoming on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. MT in a game that can be seen on ROOT Sports and heard on Mile High Sports Radio 94.1 FM.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets can do so by phone at 303-871-2336, in person at the Ritchie Center box office or through DenverPioneers.com by clicking here.

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