DENVER – Powered by a career day from sophomore Jase Townsend, the University of Denver men's basketball team exploded for a season-high 91 points in a 15-point win over Omaha on Saturday in Hamilton Gymnasium. The Pioneers dropped Omaha 91-76 in front a packed house, the 91 points marked a new season high.

Townsend was the star of the show, putting on a shooting clinic for everyone in attendance, pouring in a career-high 32 points in the win. The Dallas native was unconscious from beyond the arc, going 8-for-10 from deep, the most made 3s by a Pioneers since Joe Rosga hit nine back in head coach Rodney Billups' debut in November of 2016.

The former Skyline High standout is now averaging 23.5 points per game in six Summit League games. Townsend has been deadly from 3, shooting 58.1 percent (18-for-31) from deep during league play.

Ade Murkey continued his string of good games, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. It marked the 14th straight game the senior guard has recorded at least 10 points.

Robert Jones provided a spark on the low block, going for 15 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes of action.

Both teams traded baskets in the first eight minutes with Omaha holding a two-point lead at the under-12 media timeout. Denver was led by the play of Jones, who scored six of the first 12 on some good post moves around the rim.

The Crimson and Gold took control after that, pushing its lead to 11, largest of the first half, after a made jumper from Taelyr Gatlin, his first field goal of the contest.

The Mavericks fought back though to make it a seven-point game at the half, 40-33.

Denver then turned in maybe its best 20 minutes of the season in the second half, erupting for 51 points, triggered by the play Townsend, who dropped in 19 points. The exciting half was highlighted by going 5-for-6 from 3 from the sophomore.

The Pioneers pushed their big lead to 17 at 71-54 after Murkey hit a tough layup for his 15th point of the afternoon.

Omaha closed to within six after a 11-0 run at 71-65 but never got any closer as DU pushed ahead to secure the win and snap a 10-game losing streak.

UP NEXT:
Denver (5-15, 1-5 Summit League) hits the road for two-game trip to North Dakota. First up, a meeting with the Fighting Hawks on Jan. 23. Tip is set for 6 p.m. MT.

2020 DENVER ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME RECEPTION: Denver announced its 2020 Athletic Hall of Fame class in January. The inductees will be honored on the DU campus May 16. For more information, registration for the reception and donation information, click here. 

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