SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The University of Denver men's basketball team couldn't shake off a poor first-half shooting performance, falling 66-51 to Southeast Missouri State on Saturday. The Pioneers slipped to 3-5 on the season while the Redhawks climbed to 3-4.

Denver got a team-high 15 points from Ade Murkey, his fourth game this year in double figures.

Robert Jones continued his solid play in a starting role, adding 12 points and a team-best eight rebounds, a new season high. The freshman from Prior Lake, Minn. was also named to the all-tournament team.

Jase Townsend chipped in with 13 points.

SEMO got a game-high 16 points from Alex Caldwell and Skyler Hogan.

A defensive battle broke out to start the game, with the two teams combining to go 2-for-10, resulting in a 2-2 tie by the first media timeout of the contest.

Denver built a three-point lead at 17-14 by the under-eight media timeout after being able to get to the line and convert. Freshman JaVonni Bickham provided some good minutes off the bench, getting three points at the line during the opening half.

But a 7-0 Southeast Missouri State run swing the lead and forced the Pioneers to take a timeout.

The Redhawks continued to keep the Pioneer in check the rest of the half, taking a 29-20 lead into the break.

DU's cold shooting was noticeable in the first 20 minutes of action, scoring a season-low 20 points for a half.

Murkey was the lone Crimson and Gold player to shoot above 50 percent in the period, finishing at 3-for-5 for six points.

SEMO started the second half the way it wanted, going on a 6-0 run right out the gate to force Denver into a double-digit deficit, 35-20 by the 18:27.

The Pioneers got it back to within 10 after a nice layup on a steal from Eastmond to make it 39-29 in favor of Southeast Missouri State.

But DU never got closer than eight the rest of the way.

UP NEXT:
Denver returns home for a contest with Jackson State on Tuesday in Magness Arena. Tip is set for 7 p.m. MT.

TICKETS:
For all Denver Athletics ticket inquires, call 303-871-GOAL (4625), or visit DenverPioneers.com.

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