OMAHA – The University of Denver men's basketball team fell 85-62 on Sunday to Omaha in Baxter Arena. The Pioneers were led by senior Ade Murkey, who continued his late-season push for all-league, scoring a game-high 28 points.

Murkey has now recorded at least 24 points in six of the last seven games, a personal best in his collegiate career.

Jase Townsend saw his 38-game scoring streak come to an end, finishing with 0 points after battling a lower leg injury all afternoon.

Robert Jones added 12 points and David Nzekwesi chipped in with 10.

Matt Pile carried the Mavericks with his 20-point, 11-rebound double-double, one of four players in double figures for UNO.

Both teams traded baskets for the opening eight minutes, with Omaha taking a slight one-point advantage by the under-12 media timeout. Denver got a hot start from Tristan Green, who scored five points in his first 8:40.

The Mavericks used a late 17-6 run over the last six minutes to push their lead to 11 by the half, up 39-28.

Pile caused DU problems in the opening 20 minutes, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds.

Rebounding was the story in the half, with Omaha holding a 21-1 advantage on the glass.

Murkey and Jones each had eight points in period.

The Crimson and Gold got a strong start from Murkey in the second half, scoring 10 of its first 14 points in a variety of ways.

But UNO broke it open with a back-breaking 11-0 that made it a 16-point contest at 58-42 by the 10:32, forcing Denver to take a timeout.

The Pioneers never got closer than 14 the rest of the way.

UP NEXT:
Denver (5-22, 1-12 Summit League) returns to the hardwood for a meeting with Oral Roberts on Feb. 20. Tip is set for 7 pm MT in Hamilton Gymnasium and can be seen on Altitude.

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. 

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

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