About Denver: The Pioneers come into Sunday's game winners of three-straight games having won on the road at Northern Colorado in their last outing 81-77. The Crimson and Gold are led by Nate Engesser who is averaging 14.9 points. Joe Rosga is averaging 9.9 points, while Bryant Rucker is chipping in 9.1 points a game. Denver is 26th in the country in scoring defense allowing just 61.9 points a game (based on games played through Dec. 17). DU has nine players averaging over 10 minutes per game. Denver was picked to finish eighth in the Summit League by league coaches, media and SIDs.

About Eastern Washington: The Eagles come into Sunday's contest with a 5-6 record and having dropped their last three games. EWU fell at Western Carolina in their last outing 97-80. EWU had their game on Thursday against Morehead State cancelled due to travel conditions. Eastern Washington has four players that are averaging double-figures in scoring. The Eagles Cody Benzel is the younger brother of former Pioneers star Erik Benzel. The older Benzel is Denver's all-time leader in 3-point field goals made, fourth in steals and 10th in scoring. The Eagles are led by Austin McBroom who is averaging 18.7 points. Felix Von Hofe is averaging 14.7 points a game, while Venky Jois is scoring 13.8 points and grabbing 7.3 rebounds a game. EWU was picked to finish third by the coaches and media in the Big Sky preseason poll.

The Match-up: This is the fifth meeting between the teams. Denver defeated Eastern Washington in its last meeting on Dec. 18, 2004 in Cheney 80-61. The last meeting in Denver, the Pioneers defeated the Eagles 80-64 on Nov. 28, 2004.

Nifty Nate: Senior Nate Engesser is averaging 14.9 points a game on 57.0 percent shooting from the field and 51.8 percent from behind the arc. Engesser has tied his career-high twice this season on Nov. 15, 2015 against Lipscomb and Dec. 13, 2015 against Weber State scoring 26 points. The senior has three games this season where he has drained six 3-pointers. Engesser knocked down a career-high seven 3-pointers against Belmont on Nov. 26, 2014. Engesser set career-highs in assists (6) and steals (3) vs. Western Illinois on Jan 14, 2015. He tied his career-high in assists by dishing out six against Omaha on Feb. 7, 2015 and steals (3) at Santa Clara . Engesser grabbed a career-high seven rebounds at Western Illinois on Feb. 21, 2015.

Byrd's Eye View: Redshirt senior Marcus Byrd is averaging 9.0 points on 49.3 percent shooting from the field and 3.5 rebounds a game. Byrd dished out a career-high eight assists against Lipscomb on Nov. 15, 2015. Byrd played a career-high 40 minutes at IUPUI on Jan. 10, 2015. Byrd played in his 100th career game at San Diego on Dec. 9, 2015.

The Long Ranger: The Pioneers have at least one three-pointer in 296 straight games, dating back to Feb. 2, 2006.

Magness Magic: The Pioneers are 97-28 (.777) at Magness Arena under head coach Joe Scott, including a 55-12 (.821) mark in conference games (Sun Belt/WAC/Summit).

Double J: Sophomore Jake Pemberton made his first career start against Air Force on Dec. 5, 2015 and played all 40 minutes. Pemberton is averaging 4.4 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds a game during the 2015-16 season. Pemberton had a career-high nine points against Weber State on Dec. 13, 2015. Pemberton dished out a career-best eight assists at Northern Colorado on Dec. 16, 2015. The sophomore had a career-high six rebounds against Idaho State on Nov. 25, 2015 and a career-best six steals against Air Force. Freshman Jake Holtzmann is averaging 2.8 points and 1.1 rebounds during the 2015-16 season. Holtzmann scored a season-best 11 points at San Diego on Dec. 9, 2015.