DENVER –  Despite having only seven players available, the University of Denver men's basketball team got off to the right start on Saturday, knocking off Regis 82-66 in Hamilton Gymnasium. The duo of Jase Townsend and Robert Jones combined for 47 points as the Pioneers picked up its second season-opening win in the last three years.

Significant Stats:
- Jones (23) and Tristan Green (15) finished with career highs in points.
- Denver is now 43-22 (.661) under head coach Rodney Billups when allowing 78 points or less in a game.

Inside the Box Score:
- Townsend's 24 game-high points marked the 15th time in his career has been DU's leading scorer.
- James Sanders IV had a career day with nine points and four assists off the bench.
- Pioneers limited the Rangers to just 25 percent shooting (9-for-36) in the second half.
- Four Denver players that tied for the lead with eight rebounds, most by a DU team in the Billups era.
 
Turning Point:
A 15-7 run early in the second half capped off by a Townsend layup at the 15:08 mark to put Denver up 51-46. The Pioneers never let Regis get closer than five the rest of the way.
 
As it Happened:
 
First Half:
Denver started sluggish, allowing for the Rangers to jump out big, going up by as much as 14 with just under six minutes left in the first half. The Pioneers responded by taking control of the final six minutes, closing with a 19-8 run to go into the break down only three at 37-34.
 
Second Half:
Townsend and Jones really started finding their groove on the offensive end, going off for an explosion off points to help start the DU comeback. Denver then put the clamps down on Regis, keeping them off the scoreboard and into tough shots as they went ahead for good after a Jones layup at the 17:59 mark, upping his total to 10 on the afternoon.
 
Up Next:
DU (1-0) stays home and plays host to UC Riverside on Dec. 6.
 
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
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