MBB at Omaha (24 JAN 15) - Audio Only

Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. - Bryant Rucker (Frisco, Texas) led the Pioneers with a season-high 14 points, but it was not enough as the University of Denver men's basketball team fell 80-69 to the Omaha Mavericks Saturday afternoon at Ralston Arena.

The Pioneers (9-11, 3-4 Summit League) could not overcome a poor second half as the Mavericks (8-11, 2-5 Summit League) kept Denver winless on the road in Summit League play.

The Crimson and Gold fell behind early in the second half as the Mavericks started on a 14-4 run to open up a 13-point lead and the Pioneers were never able to rebound. Denver couldn't get closer than eight points.

Denver had seven players score eight or more points, led by Rucker's 14.

Denver's bench kept them in the game scoring 31 points. Christian Mackey (Kirtland, N.M) scored a career-high eight points, while Marcus Byrd (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) added nine points.

Denver was outscored 29-13 from the free-throw line. Omaha shot 76.3 percent (29-of-38) from the charity stripe, while the Pioneers hit for 76.5 percent (13-of-17).

Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) scored 11 points. Daniel Amigo (El Paso, Texas), Nate Engesser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jalen Love (Wichita, Kan.) all finished the game with nine points.

Denver shot 45.5 percent (25-of-55), to Omaha's 56.1 percent (23-of-41) from the field. The Pioneers made 28.6 percent from behind the 3-point line (6-of-21). The Mavericks shot 50.0 percent (5-of-10) from 3-point range.

Omaha came out wanting to push the pace in the first half and opened the game hitting nine of their first 10 shots. Denver stayed in the contest by getting second chance opportunities and forcing Omaha into 11 first half turnovers.

A putback by Jake White at the first half buzzer gave the Mavericks a 35-32 lead going into the locker room.

Denver was led by Rucker who had nine points in the first half. Olson dropped in eight points and had two steals.

Denver shot 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. The Pioneers hit for 27.3 percent (3-of-11) from behind the arc in the first half. Omaha hit for 61.9 percent (13-of-21) from the floor. The Mavericks shot 33.3 percent (1-of-3) from behind the 3-point line.

Omaha was led by CJ Carter who scored 23 points.

Denver will continue its road trip when they head to Fargo to take on defending Summit League champions North Dakota State on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 6 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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