MANHATTAN, Kan. – The University of Denver men's basketball team gave all the No. 11 Kansas State Wildcats could handle on Monday before falling late, 64-56 in Bramlage Coliseum. The Pioneers dropped to 1-1 on the season, while KSU improved to 2-0.
Seniors
Joe Rosga and
Ronnie Harrell Jr. led the way for the DU. Rosga finished with a season-high 18 points while Harrell Jr. notched his second double-double of the year with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Ade Murkey bounced back from a rough season opener to score a season-best 14 points to go along with six rebounds.
Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year Dean Wade finished with 12 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.
Barry Brown Jr. poured in a game-best 25 points for the Wildcats.
It was a close early, with Kansas State taking a one-point lead into the first media timeout. Harrell Jr. started strong, knocking down a 3 on the opening possession for DU.
A strong defensive performance from Denver gave it a three-point lead at 9-6 at the under-12 media timeout. The Pioneers' defense was stellar in the opening eight minutes, holding the Wildcats to 25 percent shooting to start (3-for-12).
A Rosga layup snapped a 7-0 KSU run to make it a two-possession game and gave the St. Paul native his fourth point of the evening.
A quick 7-0 run from DU in the final 1:30 before the break made it a one-possession game, 31-28 Kansas State at the half.
Rosga found his shooting touch, scoring 12 of his 18 points in the first 20 minutes of action.
Harrell Jr. again showed his versatility, finishing the period with 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
But real key was Denver's defense, limiting the Wildcats to just 35.5 percent shooting.
The Pioneers got the start they were looking for to open the second half, tying it up on a Rosga 3 on a great pass from Murkey to make it 31-31.
A right wing 3 from Murkey gave DU a three-point advantage at 36-33 at the 17:05 mark, giving the junior nine in the contest.
Both teams traded baskets before 6-0 run by KSU gave it a five-point lead at the under-12 media on a layup from Brown.
The Crimson and Gold closed to within three after
Jase Townsend made a contested floater, giving the freshman his second basket in the game.
Another tough lay-in from Townsend made it a five-point game in favor of Kansas State with just over four minutes left.
A pair of free throws from Murkey cut the Wildcat lead to four at 60-56 with 1:12 left on the clock.
Denver couldn't generate any offense after that, falling late after being forced to foul to extend the game.
Up Next
DU returns home to play host to Abilene Christian on Thursday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. and can be seen on Altitude 2.
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