MBB at IUPUI (10 JAN 15)- Audio Only

Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Cam Griffin (San Antonio, Texas) scored 15 points and grabbed four rebounds, but it was not enough as the University of Denver men's basketball team fell 52-49 to the IUPUI Jaguars Saturday afternoon at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

The Pioneers (7-10, 1-3 Summit League) could not overcome a cold shooting first half and their comeback effort fell short to the Jaguars (6-11, 2-1 Summit League).

Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) scored 13 points all coming in the second half, grabbed three rebounds and dished out three assists while Marcus Byrd (Highlands Ranch, Colo) scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds.

With the score tied at 46 IUPUI was able to gather an offensive rebound and Marcellus Barksdale was fouled and knocked down both free throws to give the Jags a two-point lead. On the next possession the Pioneers turned the ball over and D.J. McCall scored on a putback to give IUPUI a four point lead. Denver was able to score and nearly forced a turnover, but free throws down the stretch put the game away for the Jaguars.

The Crimson and Gold shot 71.4 percent (15-of-21) in the second half.

Denver finished the game shooting 46.3 percent (20-of-43), while IUPUI shot 46.3 percent (19-of-41). The Pioneers shot 30.0 percent from behind the 3-point line (3-of-10). The Jaguars shot 40.0 percent (2-of-5) from 3-point range.

The first half started off ice-cold for the Pioneers as they hit only one of their first 10 shots from the field. Defense kept DU in the game as the team had eight steals in the half led by Jalen Love (Wichita, Kan.) who had three steals.

With IUPUI leading 12-11 the Jaguars went on an 8-0 to take the lead into the locker room.

Denver trailed 20-13 at halftime. The 13 points were the second lowest total in a half this season.

The Crimson and Gold were led by Byrd who had five points and two rebounds in the first half. Griffin had four points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Denver shot 22.7 percent (5-of-22) from the floor while IUPUI hit for 38.9 percent (7-of-18) in the first half. The Pioneers hit just 12.5 percent (1-of-8) from behind the arc in the first half. The Jaguars shot 33.3 percent (1-of-3) from behind the 3-point line.

IUPUI was led by Barksdale who scored 10 points. DavRon Williams had seven points and seven rebounds.

Notes: The Pioneers had 11 steals on the game, but were outscored 13-0 on second chance points.

Denver will return home as they will welcome Western Illinois on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. MT. The game can be 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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