DENVER – The University of Denver men's basketball team used a dominant second half to push past Houston Baptist on Sunday, winning 74-61 in Hamilton Gymnasium. The Pioneers improved to 3-3 on the year with the victory.

Inside the Box Score:
- Jordan Johnson poured in a career-high 20 points, highlighted by a perfect 5-for-5 performance from the line.
- Tevin Smith continued his impressive freshman year, finishing with 13 points and a season-high seven rebounds.
- KJ Hunt kept up his double-digit scoring streak with 11 points. Hunt has scored in double figures in all six games this season.

Significant Stats:
- Denver picked up its first win this year when trailing at the half.   
- Pioneers shot a season-high 50 percent from the field.
- The Crimson and Gold's eight turnovers were a season low.
- DU has now had four or more players in double figures three times on the season.
- Denver's 3-3 start to the year is its best since 2015-16.  
 
Turning Point:
An 18-8 run from DU to take it from a one-point game at 51-50 to double figures at 69-58.
 
As it Happened:
 
First Half:
Denver opened the contest with solid defense, taking a 6-4 lead four minutes into it. The Huskies answered with a 7-0 run out of the timeout as the Pioneers went scoreless on the offensive end. The Pioneers brought it back to a one-possession contest after a basket in the paint from Michael Henn, his first of the contest made it 20-17 Houston Baptist. DU closed to within one at 33-32 after a pair of free throws from Henn. HBU was able to take a one-point edge into the half, 35-34.
 
Second Half:
The Crimson and Gold started fast, taking its first lead since 6-4 after Johnson was fouled and converted the three-point play to go up, 38-37. Denver got a jumper from Smith to build the lead to five at 44-39, giving the freshman his 12th point. Taelyr Gatlin made it a two-score game after drilling his second 3, making it 49-43 with 12:36 remaining. The Pioneers got an eight-point lead on a jumper from Gatlin in the left short corner to extend the lead back to eight at 60-52. Henn pushed the DU lead into double figures for the first time with a great drive and finish at 69-58. Denver never let Houston Baptist get close the rest of the way after that.
 
Up Next:
Denver (3-3) hits the road for its longest stretch of the season. First up, a drive down south on I-25 to take on Air Force on Wednesday at 2 p.m. MT in Clune Arena.
 
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CORONAVIRUS UPDATES: Masks are required at all indoor athletic events. For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here 
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