TULSA, Okla. – The University of Denver men's basketball team couldn't hold off a late second-half surge from Oral Roberts on Saturday, falling 86-77 at the Mabee Center. Jase Townsend continued his high-scoring ways, erupting for a game-high 30 points for the Pioneers.

Ade Murkey dropped in 24 points, his fourth straight game with at least 24.

Deondre Burns led the way for the Golden Eagles, finishing with 22 points. Burns was one of four ORU players to score in double figures.

Oral Roberts opened with a 19-11 lead to start the game. The Golden Eagles got a strong start from Kevin Obanor, who had 10 points in his first eight minutes of action.

ORU pushed the lead to 18 after a commanding 17-7 run that lasted a little over six minutes.

Denver, though, worked its way back into this one, countering with a 16-2 run of its own to make it two-possession game at the half, 38-34.

Townsend came alive late in the half for the Crimson and Gold to finish with 15 points in the opening 20 minutes of action.

Denver's defense was key to the late-half rally, holding the Golden Eagles to 34.2 percent shooting in the period.

Townsend kept his scoring ways going, recording 13 of the Pioneers first 27 points in the second half to help bring things even at 61-61 by the 10-minute mark.

But ORU pushed away good with a 10-2 run after that to go up by eight.

The Pioneers never got any closer than six the rest of the way.

UP NEXT:
Denver (5-19, 1-9 Summit League) heads home for a game against Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 8 in Hamilton Gymnasium.

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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