MBB v UC Riverside (22 DEC 16) - Highlights
MBB v UC Riverside (22 DEC 16) - Krafka Pack
MBB v UC Riverside (22 DEC 16) - Audio Only
MBB v UC Riverside (22 DEC 16) - Post Game

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

DENVER - The University of Denver men's basketball team pushed its winning streak to five on Thursday in a 73-55 victory over UC Riverside at Magness Arena. The Pioneers' (8-5) five-game winning streak is the longest since early last season.

Junior Daniel Amigo recorded his fifth double-double in the win, finishing with 12 points and 12 boards in the contest.

Joe Rosga poured in a game-high 18 points to go along with a season-high five assists for DU. The St. Paul native turned it on in the second half, scoring 12 in final 20 minutes.

Freshmen Jake Krafka and Ade Murkey each chipped in with season highs in points, as Krafka ended with 12 and Murkey added 10.

A hot start gave Denver a 10-5 lead in the opening minutes of evening. The Pioneers made five of their first six shots (83.3 percent), with four different starters scoring in the process.

UC Riverside held a three-point lead midway through the first half after a 10-2 run in a four-minute span, capped off by a Secean Johnson tip-in off a missed free throw by the Highlanders.

The Pioneers responded with a 13-2 run of their own, resulting in an eight-point advantage with six minutes left in the half.

A strong close in the opening half allowed DU to take a 12-point lead into the locker room at 35-23.

Bench play was a big factor in the first 20 minutes, with the unit scoring 14 points, 10 coming from Krafka to tie his season high.

Denver put in work on both ends of the floor, going 14-for-24 (58.3 percent) from the field while holding UCR to just 33.3 percent.

The second half started with the UC Riverside cutting the Pioneer lead eight with a Chance Murray layup at the 15:50 mark, his fifth point of the game.

DU pulled back to a double-digit advantage off baskets from Rosga, Krakfa and Amigo midway through the half.

Denver never let the Highlanders within single digits the rest of the way, cementing the win and extending its streak to five.

The Strength of the Team is the Team
The Pioneers once again showed the versatility of their squad with four players scoring in double figures tonight as each one showed up at different times throughout the game, a good sign of a team showing growth heading into league play.

Up Next
DU returns to the hardwood to open up Summit League play on Dec. 28 with a meeting against Oral Roberts. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. MT and can be seen on Altitude 2.

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