DENVER – University of Denver senior Chris Udofia (Irving, Texas) tallied 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting, eight rebounds, seven assists and three blocks to lead the Pioneers to a 75-67 win over Western Illinois at Magness Arena on Thursday night.

Sophomore Bryant Rucker (Frisco, Texas) added 17 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from the field with a pair of three-pointers for the Pioneers (14-12, 7-4 Summit League). Junior Cam Griffin (San Antonio, Texas) and sophomore Nate Engesser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) chipped in 15 and 11 points, respectively.

“We played well and got contributions from a lot of guys,” said head coach Joe Scott. “Give Western Illinois credit because they may have played their best game of the season. Players win the game by being tough. Our offensive execution has been extremely good, and we added some key defensive stops and some rebounds tonight.”

The Pioneers shot a scorching 65.8 percent (25-of-38) from the field, the best shooting performance by a Summit League team this season, and 64.3 percent (9-of-14) from three-point range. Western Illinois (9-17, 3-8 Summit League) made 54.3 percent (25-of-46) of its shots from the floor and 41.2 percent (7-of-17) from beyond the arc.

“Chris was unbelievable down the stretch,” Scott said. “What I really liked was that he was finishing shots around the rim, and he did it in a close game when we needed it. If he continues to play at that level, it’s going to be key for us.”

The game featured 15 lead changes and 11 ties, including one at 62-62 with 4:08 remaining. However, Rucker scored on a driving layup, and Udofia followed with a three-point play on a dunk to stretch the lead to five with 3:18 left.

Western Illinois cut the DU lead back to three twice, but junior Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) nailed a three-pointer with 91 seconds left, and Rucker and Udofia sealed the win with free throws in the final minute.

DU took an early 19-10 lead with 13:07 left in the first half, but Western Illinois clawed back make it a back and forth game to the break, when the Pioneers took a 36-33 lead into the locker room.

The Leathernecks were led by Garret Covington’s 18 points, and Michael Ochereobia had 14 points and eight rebounds.

Denver hosts its final home game on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT, when the Pioneers take on Omaha live on ROOT Sports, as well as Mile High Sports Radio AM 1510 and 93.7 FM. Prior to the game, the Pioneers will honor seniors Chris Udofia, Charles Webb and Griffin McKenzie.

Individual home 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.

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