MBB v IUPUI (14 FEB 15) - Highlights
MBB v IUPUI (14 FEB 15) - Post Game
MBB v IUPUI (14 FEB 15) - Full Game Box Score

DENVER - Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) scored 18 points and moved into seventh place on the all-time scoring list at DU, but the University of Denver men's basketball team could not pull-off the victory falling to the IUPUI Jaguars Saturday afternoon at Magness Arena, 54-53.

The Jaguars (9-17, 5-7 Summit League) came out in the second half on a 9-2 running cutting the Pioneers (10-15, 4-8 Summit League) 10-point half time lead to three.

"A tale of two halves," said head coach Joe Scott. "That has been our demon for a while now. We are just not able to be consistent. In the first half we did a great job of rebounding the ball. In the second half rebounding the ball and taking care of the ball is something we didn't do."

With the game tied at 40, Denver hit back-to-back 3-point baskets by Olson and Nate Engesser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) to take a 46-40 lead with 6:37 remaining in the game. IUPUI would not go away and took their first lead since the 13:53 mark of the first half, 49-48 with 2:56 remaining in the second half and never trailed again.

Marcus Byrd (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) tied the game at 49 and after a DavRon Williams made his first free-throw to give IUPUI a one point lead, Denver had a chance to grab the rebound on the missed free-throw but a loose ball turned into a jump ball situation and the possession arrow went in the favor of IUPUI. Marcellus Barksdale made two free-throws to give the Jaguars a three-point lead and the teams exchanged free-throws the rest of the way.

Denver trailed by one after two Olson free-throws with 5.1 seconds remaining but the Jaguars were able to inbound the ball and broke the full-court pressure before the Pioneers could foul and ran out the clock.

Cam Delaney (Harker Heights, Texas) made his first career start in place of the injured Jalen Love (Wichita, Kan.). Delaney scored two points while posting career-highs of five rebounds and three steals in 23 minutes of action.

"In the end not having Love hurt a lot because you're in a 40-minute game and there's a guy who plays 35 of those minutes normally and is a veteran on the team," Scott said.

Engesser scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists. Marcus Byrd (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) scored seven points, while Bryant Rucker (Frisco, Texas) scored seven points, had two rebounds and dished out two assists. Cam Griffin (San Antonio, Texas) added six points.

Denver shot 44.2 percent (19-of-43), to IUPUI's 43.2 percent (19-of-44) from the field. The Pioneers made 38.9 percent from behind the 3-point line (7-of-18). The Jaguars shot 25.0 percent (1-of-4) from 3-point range.

The Pioneers took their first lead of the first half at the 13:53 9-8 on two made Griffin free-throws. With Denver leading 17-14 the Crimson and Gold ended the half on a 13-6 run.

Denver took a 30-20 lead into the locker room.

Denver was led by Olson who scored seven points and grabbed two rebounds. Delaney grabbed a career-high four rebounds in the opening frame. Byrd scored six points, while Rucker came off the bench to add five points and an assist.

Denver shot 50.0 percent (11-of-22) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. The Pioneers hit for 38.5 percent (5-of-13) from behind the arc in the first half. IUPUI shot 44.4 percent (8-of-18) from the floor. The Jaguars shot 50.0 percent (1-of-2) from behind the 3-point line in the first half.

IUPUI was led in the game by Williams who scored 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds off the bench.

Notes: Olson moved into seventh place on the all-time Denver scoring list passing Yemi Nicholson, Erik Benzel, Jack Hauser and Wahhab Carter. Olson sits with 1,383 career points.

Denver will finish their 2014-15 regular home schedule on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. MT against Fort Wayne. The Pioneers will honor seniors Olson and Griffin prior to the start of the game. The game can be heard on Mile High Sports Radio 94.1 FM with Raj Sharan on the call.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets to Denver men's basketball 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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