MBB at Santa Clara (14 NOV 15) - Audio Only

Santa Clara, Calif. - Nate Engesser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) scored a game-high 18 points, knocking down six 3-pointers as the University of Denver men's basketball team secured their first victory of the season defeating the Santa Clara Broncos Saturday night at the Leavey Center in the 49^th annual Cable Car Classic, 55-33.

The Pioneers (1-1) led 34-29 with 11:08 remaining in the game and went on a 15-4 run with all 15 points coming on five made 3-pointers to open a 49-33 advantage over the Broncos (0-2). Joe Rosga (St. Paul, Minn.) scored the last six points to close out the 21-5 run.

"We competed really hard," head coach Joe Scott said. "That was our focus. The first type of consistency that needs to be developed is playing extremely hard night in and night out. We did that tonight and we will get another opportunity tomorrow, which will really test us. We are looking forward to tomorrow's test."

The Crimson and Gold unleashed six first half 3-pointers led by Engesser's three. The Pioneers opened up a 10-point lead after a 12-0 run capped off by a Jake Pemberton (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) 3-pointer after Engesser had hit three in a row.

The Pioneers took a 26-17 lead into the locker room.

The Crimson and Gold were led by Engesser's nine first half points. Bryant Rucker (Frisco, Texas) chipped in with seven points. DU outrebounded the Broncos 17-12. Matt Hauser led Santa Clara with seven first half points.

Denver shot 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes, while holding Santa Clara to just 23.1 percent (6-of-26) in the first twenty minutes. The Pioneers hit for 46.2 percent (6-of-13) from behind the arc in the opening half. The Broncos shot 21.4 percent (3-of-14) from behind the 3-point line in the first half.

The Crimson and Gold held the Broncos to 33 points which is the lowest total for a Scott-coached team at DU.

Engesser added six rebounds and tied his career-high with three steals. Rucker finished with nine points and four rebounds, while Rosga finished with nine points and two assists.

Thomas Neff (Arvada, Colo.) scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists.

Denver shot 45.5 percent (20-of-44), and held Santa Clara to an ice-cold 22.9 percent (11-of-48) from the field. The Pioneers made 41.9 percent from behind the 3-point line (13-of-31). Denver held the Broncos to 16.7 percent (4-of-24) from 3-point range.

The Santa Clara Broncos had three players score seven points each.

Notes: The Crimson and Gold are now 4-5 in road season openers under Scott. The Pioneers have now hit a 3-pointer in 287 consecutive games. Denver also outrebounded Santa Clara 34-28.

Denver will conclude play at the Cable Car Classic on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. MT. The game can be heard on Mile High Sports Radio 1340 AM with Raj Sharan on the call.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets to upcoming Denver men's basketball home games 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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