Box Score Feb. 21, 2015 MBB at Western Illinois (21 FEB 15) - Audio Only Box Score
MACOMB, ILL - Nate Engesser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) scored 11 points and grabbed a career-high seven rebounds as the University of Denver men's basketball team knocked off the Western Illinois Leathernecks Saturday evening at Western Hall, 59-46.
The Pioneers (11-16, 5-9 Summit League) defeated the Leathernecks (8-17, 3-11 Summit League) and in the process got its first Summit League road win of the year and first win on the road since Dec. 6 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
"It was fun atmosphere in our locker room after this win," said head coach Joe Scott. "We have had some heartbreaking losses this season and we have been looking forward to a performance like we had as a team tonight."
Marcus Byrd (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half. Denver opened that half on an 11-5 run to open up an 11-point lead with 16 minutes remaining and the lead never got closer than eight points.
The Crimson and Gold outrebounded the Leathernecks 29-28 and outscored Western Illinois 24-18 in points in the paint.
Cam Griffin (San Antonio, Texas) scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) dropped in nine points, pulled down three rebounds and dished out four assists.
Bryant Rucker (Frisco, Texas) scored five points and had three rebounds, while Christian Mackey (Kirtland, N.M.) scored three points knocking down his first career 3-pointer. Cam Delaney (Harker Heights, Texas) scored four points, grabbed three rebounds and dished out three assists.
Denver shot 43.8 percent (21-of-48), to WIU's 40.0 percent (18-of-45) from the field. The Pioneers made 33.3 percent from behind the 3-point line (8-of-24). Denver held the Leathernecks to just 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range.
An early 8-0 run in the first half by the Leathernecks put the Pioneers down by five points. Over the last 11 minutes, Denver outscored Western Illinois 19-10.
Denver took a 24-20 lead into the locker room after Olson found a cutting Griffin for a layup as the half was finishing.
Denver was led by Griffin who scored five points, while Engesser scored four points and had a career-high tying five rebounds in the first half. Garret Covington led the Leathernecks with seven points and six rebounds in the opening half.
Both teams shot an identical 38.1 percent (8-of-21) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. The Pioneers hit for 33.3 percent (4-of-12) from behind the arc in the first half. Western Illinois shot just 11.1 percent (1-of-9) behind the 3-point line in the first half.
Western Illinois was led in the game by Covington who scored nine points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
Notes: Olson moved into fourth all-time on the Denver made 3-point field goal list. Olson has made 256 3-pointers in his career. Olson also played and started in his 121st game moving him into fourth all-time on games played at DU. Jalen Love (Wichita, Kansas) missed his third straight game with an injury. Jake Pemberton (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) missed the game due to illness.
Denver will head to Vermillion on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. MT to take on the South Dakota Coyotes. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and can also be heard on Mile High Sports Radio 94.1 FM with Raj Sharan on the call.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets to Denver home athletic events 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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