SEATTLE – The University of Denver men's basketball team opened the Elgin Baylor Classic on Friday, falling 82-63 to Seattle at the Redhawk Center. The loss dropped the Pioneers to 1-3 on the year, while the Redhawks improved to 4-2.
 
Jase Townsend led a depleted DU team with 11 points, his second game this year in double figures.
 
Fellow freshman Taelyr Gatlin, making his first collegiate start, added a season-high 10 points in replacement of Joe Rosga, who missed the game due to a lower leg injury.
 
Morgan Means poured in a game-high 26 points for SU.
 
Both teams opened to a tie game at 7-7 by the first media timeout. For the Pioneers, Donoven Carlisle started early, knocking down his third triple of the year at the 15:42 mark.
 
Two 3s from Townsend pushed Denver up by one at 15-14 midway through the half. The Dallas native came off the bench and again showcased his long-range ability, giving the Pioneers six quick points from beyond the arc.
 
The Crimson and Gold pushed their lead to five after a pull-up 3 from the left wing from Gatlin made it 24-19, giving the playmaking guard his fifth point of the half.
 
It was all Redhawks after that, closing with a 14-4 run to take a five-point advantage at the half, 33-28.
 
Denver struggled shooting in the opening 20 minutes, going 11-for-33 (33.3 percent) from the field.
 
SU came out hot the in the second half, pushing the lead to 13 at 46-33 after a corner 3 from Means, upping his total to 14.
 
Seattle kept on the gas from there, never letting the Pioneers get any closer than 11 the rest of the way.
 
Up next
DU continues the Elgin Baylor Classic with a meeting against Longwood on Saturday. Tip is set for 1 p.m. MT and can be seen on the WAC Digital Network.
 
TOGETHER 4 COLORADO TOY DRIVE
The Pioneers have partnered with CBS4 for the Together 4 Colorado Toy Drive to support the Denver community during the holiday season. Beginning Nov. 17, there will be toy drops at every Denver Athletics and Newman Center event thru Dec. 19. Additionally, there will be a Community Shop 'n Drop on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., hosted by the Denver Cheerleading squad at the circle drive on the north side of the Ritchie Center.
 
PIONEER MOVEMENT:
Fans interested in making a donation to the men's basketball program can do so by CLICKING HERE. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.
  
-- PIONEER TOGETHER --
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