OREM, Utah – The University of Denver men's basketball team couldn't withstand a hot-shooting Utah Valley team, falling 98-75 in the UCCU Center on Saturday. The Pioneers fell to 2-6 on the year while the Wolverines improved to 6-3 with the win.
 
Ronnie Harrell Jr. led Denver with a team-high 20 points in the loss. The Denver native knocked down four 3-pointers in the defeat.
 
Ade Murkey added 17 points and three rebounds.
 
David Nzekwesi scored 10 points off the bench.
 
UVU's Connor Toolson poured in a game-high 26 points, highlighted by going 5-for-10 from the 3-point line.
 
Toolson was one of five Utah Valley players in score in double figures.
 
Utah Valley opened fast, jumping out to a 16-7 advantage by the first media timeout after a Toolson explosion from cousins Jake and Conner, who combined for 14 of the Wolverines first 16 points.
 
Denver closed to within six after a big two-hand jam from Tory Stewart-Miller, making his Pioneer debut.
 
A 10-0 run from UVU made it a 17-point game at the under-eight media. The big run was capped off by a left-wing 3 from Jake Toolson at the 7:23 mark.
 
DU delivered a 7-0 run that cut the Utah Valley lead to 14 after a fade away jumper from Harrell Jr., upping his total to 13 in the half.
 
A late 3 from Harrell Jr. made it a 16-point game going into the break with the Crimson and Gold trailing 53-37.
 
Harrell Jr. had his shot going in the first 20 minutes of action, going 7-for-9 from the field, including 4-of-4 from beyond the arc.
 
Murkey added 11 points in the half.
 
Utah Valley's execution on the offensive was the biggest difference, helping give the Wolverines a 60.7 shooting percentage (17-for-28) for the period.
 
UVU again got a quick start to open the second half, using a 9-3 run to push their lead to 22 by the 15:58 mark.
 
The lead ballooned to as much as 32 for Utah Valley, but the Pioneers cut it to 23 with a late run, never getting any closer than that to finish the contest.
 
Up next
Denver heads south on I-25 for a regional match-up with Air Force on Wednesday in Clune Arena. Game is set for 7 p.m. tip and can be seen on the Mountain West 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 --
Like Denver Pioneers, Denver Men's Basketball on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers, @DU_MHoops on Twitter
Follow denverpioneers, du_mhoops on Instagram