SAN ANTONIO – The University of Denver men's basketball team used a strong second-half rally before falling 69-67 on a last-second layup by Texas A&M CC at the Convocation Center on Wednesday. The Pioneers dropped to 2-3 with the loss.

Inside the Box Score:
- KJ Hunt had a team-high 16 points to go with six rebounds and four assists. The Little Rock, Ark. native has scored in double figures in all five games this year.  
- Tevin Smith dropped in a season-best 15 points and had two blocks.
- Coban Porter recorded his first collegiate game in double figures for scoring, finishing with a season-high 12 points.

Significant Stats:
- Denver slipped to 0-3 on the year when trailing at the half.  
- Pioneers have now made at least seven 3s in four straight games.
- The Crimson and Gold fell to 2-1 when allowing under 70 points in a game this year.
- DU has now had four or more players in double figures twice on the season.
 
Turning Point:
A layup from Jalen Jackson with one second left to put Texas A&M CC up 69-67.
 
As it Happened:
 
First Half:
Michael Henn, back in the starting lineup, scored the first five points for Denver as they opened with a one-point advantage at 7-6 in the first 4:24. Coming out of the media, Henn connected on his second made 3, giving him eight points at Denver reach double figures first at 10-8. Both teams hit a scoring drought midway in the opening half, resulting in Pioneers leading 11-9 at the under-12 media timeout. Denver pushed its lead to five after a 3-pointer from Porter made it 17-12. Texas A&M CC made its way back into this, tying things up at 27 after Trevian Tennyson hit a jumper at the four-minute mark. The Islanders used a strong push late to go into the break leading 38-34.
 
Second Half:
Hunt paced the Pioneers to start the period, scoring four points within three minutes to cut the Islander lead to four at 44-40. But Texas A&M CC pushed its lead into double figures for the first time on a basket from Simeon Fryer with 9:11 remaining to make it 55-45. The Crimson and Gold made it a two-possession game after a 6-0 run made it 58-54 Islanders, forcing them to call a timeout with just over five minutes remaining. Denver kept on the attack, getting its first lead since 27-24 after a layup from Henn made it 60-59 with just under three minutes left. The Pioneers tied it up late after Hunt made one of two from the line to square things at 67. The Islanders came up clutch though, getting the game-winning basket with one second left on a layup by Jalen Jackson.
 
Up Next:
Denver (2-3) heads home to take on Houston Baptist on Sunday in Hamilton Gymnasium. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. MT.
 
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