DENVER – The University of Denver men's basketball team used a huge second-half run to knock off Maine on opening night, 62-50 in Magness Arena. The Pioneers improved to 1-0 on the year for the first time since 2014 with the victory.
 
Ronnie Harrell Jr. was as good as advertised, leading DU with a game-high 18 points and 13 rebounds in his debut. The former Denver East standout also recorded four blocks in the win, a new career high.
 
Freshman Jase Townsend had it going coming off the bench, erupting for 16 points in his collegiate debut on Tuesday night. The Dallas, Texas native got to show off his pure stroke from deep, knocking down two 3s in the win.
 
Joe Rosga added seven points to go with four rebounds and four assists.
 
Defense was the name of the game, the Crimson and Gold held the Black Bears to just 31 percent shooting from the field (18 for 58).
 
Denver opened with a 9-8 lead by the first media timeout thanks to some quick baskets from new Pioneer Harrell Jr. The Denver native with five points in the first four minutes of the opening half.
 
DU pushed its lead to four after a left wing 3 from Taelyr Gatlin, his first collegiate basket, by the second media timeout.
 
Maine countered with an 8-0 run of its own to take the lead at 18-14, forcing the Crimson and Gold to take a timeout.
 
The teams battled to a 27-27 tie at the break. Denver kept itself in the contest with its defense, forcing the Black Bears into tough shot after tough shot.
 
In the second half, Harrell Jr. made his impact felt early, scoring numerous times early and making defensive plays on the end as the Pioneers took a two-point lead at 38-36 with 11:31 left on the clock.
 
Back-to-back 3s from Townsend put Denver back up by five at 44-39 midway through the half, upping the freshman's total to 14 in the contest.
 
The hot shooting was part of a game-changing 20-4 run from the Pioneers that pushed their lead into double digits, something they wouldn't relinquish the final 6:33 of the contest.
 
Up Next
DU heads on the road for the first time this season in a meeting with No. 12 Kansas State. Game is set for next Monday in Manhattan, Kan. with a tip of 7 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN 3.
 
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