DENVER – The University of Denver men's basketball team got a strong second-half performance on the way to a 74-58 win over Oral Roberts on Sunday at Magness Arena. The Pioneers held the Golden Eagles to just 34.5 percent shooting in the victory.

The win made it two in a row for DU, who won both games by double figures for the first time this year.

Joe Rosga led the Crimson and Gold with a game-high 21 points, which was highlighted by the senior going on a scoring barrage in the first half to set the tone for the afternoon.

David Nzekwesi, who was looking forward to playing older brother Emmaunel but couldn't due to injury, finished with 13 points off the bench giving a big spark to the second unit.

Ade Murkey added 11 points, all coming in the second half after a quiet opening 20 minutes.

ORU got a team-high 17 points from Kevin Obanor.

Denver got the start it was looking for, racing out a 10-0 lead within three minutes of play. Rosga started red hot, scoring eight of the first 10 points for the Pioneers.

Oral Roberts made a push midway through the opening period, closing back to within six before a bucket down on the low block by Nzekwesi snapped a two-plus minute scoring drought for Denver.

The Golden Eagles did take the lead late after a 3 from Francis Lacis at the 1:13 mark. DU, though, responded to take a two-point advantage into the break, 34-32.

Defense kept the Crimson and Gold up, limiting ORU to just 31 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes of action.

Neither team found separation to start the second half, with both teams staying within two-possessions of each other thanks to some good defense and sluggish ball movement.

Denver found some separation midway through the period, building a six-point lead with just under eight minutes remaining, using a 12-2 run to push its lead to 11 after a free throw capped off an old-fashioned three-point play for Murkey.
 
It was all Pioneers the rest of the way, never letting Oral Roberts cut the DU lead back into single digits.

Not Your Normal Freshmen
The Pioneers freshman class really had an impact of the outcome of Sunday's contest, combining for 27 points on the offensive end and helping anchor a stellar team defensive performance on the other end.

UP NEXT
The Pioneers (7-14, 2-5 Summit League) hit the road next weekend for a meeting with Purdue Fort Wayne. Game is set for Saturday with a tip of 5 p.m. MT.

Register for Alumni Weekend
Denver men's basketball alumni weekend is set for 2019! The men's basketball Alumni Weekend tips off on Thursday night, February 28th as the Pioneers host Western Illinois at 7 p.m. On Friday, Alumni will take the floor at 5 p.m. followed our Senior Recognition Dinner at 7 p.m. with the finale to weekend – DU versus Omaha at 1 p.m. on Saturday. To register for Alumni Weekend – Contact Dwight Thorne II at Dwight.thorne@du.edu or call the basketball office at 303-871-4781. Information is also available at the marketing table in the north endzone of Magness Arena.
 
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.