SEATTLE – Despite being down 17 points in the first half, the University of Denver men's basketball team never backed down, nearly pulling off the comeback against Fairfield, before falling 86-85 on Sunday. The Pioneers fell to 2-4 on the year while the Stags improved to 2-5.
 
Ronnie Harrell Jr. led DU with a game-high 21 points, his second straight game with at least 20. The senior got to the rim, resulting in going a perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line.
 
Freshman David Nzekwesi gave everyone of glimpse of his ability, scoring a career-high 17 points off the bench in 19 minutes of work. The former Byron Nelson standout also grabbed five rebounds.
 
Elvin Rodriguez also provided a spark off the bench, pouring in a season-high 16 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting.
 
Key stat of the game was Fairfield's ability to make shots from deep, hitting 13 on the day compared to the Crimson and Gold's lone make, resulting in a plus-36 rating from beyond the arc.
 
Boulder native Landon Taliaferro finished with a game-high 21 points for the Stags.
 
Fairfield opened the game fast, jumping out to a 10-2 advantage before Denver was forced to take a timeout at the 16:47 mark in the first half. The Stags applied heavy pressure early, forcing the Pioneers into three turnovers within four minutes.
 
DU got down by 12 after another push from Fairfield, who opened sharp from beyond the arc, knocking down three of its first six 3-point field goal attempts, a trend that would continue the rest of the contest.
 
The Stags didn't stop from there, getting their lead to as many as 17 after a Felix Lemetti 3.
 
A quick 6-0 run late by the Crimson and Gold cut the Fairfield lead to single digits at nine after Donoven Carlisle grabbed an offensive rebound and converted at the rim.
 
A late 3 from Lemetti with 18 seconds left before half put the Stags up by eight at the break, 46-38.
 
Denver started slow before finding a groove late in the period, outscoring Fairfield 22-15 over the final 7:33.
 
Pioneers started strong, closing to within five after a basket in transition from Harrell Jr. on a great pass from Joseph Lanzi.
 
Nzekwesi then went to work, scoring on several possessions after getting offensive rebounds that brought the game within a point with 6:47 left in regulation.
 
Three free throws from Harrell Jr. gave the Pioneers their first lead of the afternoon at 76-75.
 
After some basket trading by both squads, the Stags went up for good on a Taliaferro jumper with just under two minutes left.
 
DU had a shot late, cutting it to one after a Harrell Jr. 3-pointer made it an 86-85 contest with five seconds remaining.
 
Fairfield then went to the line and missed the front end of a 1-and-1, giving Denver a chance. Harrell Jr. couldn't get the shot off though at the buzzer, giving the Stags the victory.
 
Up next
The Pioneers head back home to Magness Arena for a meeting with in-state rival Northern Colorado on Wednesday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. and can be seen on Altitude TV.
 
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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