Western Illinois Surges Past Denver in 2nd Half

Friday, February 12

Macomb, Ill.

6 PM MT

University of Denver

2-14,1-8Summit League

Western Illinois

6-12,4-7Summit League

Team	1	2	F
Denver	28	41	69
Western Ill.	22	53	75

Photo by: Brittany Evans

2/12/2021 8:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Townsend scores team-high 25 points in loss

MACOMB, ILL. – The University of Denver men's basketball team couldn't sustain a dominant start on Friday, instead falling behind a second-half surge from Western Illinois, 75-69 in Western Hall. The Leathernecks picked up their fourth straight win with the victory.

Inside the Box Score:
- Jase Townsend led the Pioneers with a team-high 25 points, his third straight game with at least 23.
- Kobey Lam had a career-high 14 points.
- Sam Hines Jr. added 13 points and six rebounds.
- WIU was led by a game-high 27 points Will Carius.

Significant Stats:
- DU was outscored 53-41 in the second half.
- The Crimson and Gold made seven 3s, the 11th straight game with at least six in a contest.

Turning Point:
A 13-3 run from WIU take it from a one-possession game to 60-47 with 3:12 left in regulation.

As it Happened:

First Half:
Denver got the start it was looking for, racing out to a 14-0 lead to open. Defense was the name of the game early for the Pioneers, holding Western Illinois to 0-for-11 shooting to start while also forcing nine turnovers in the first nine minutes. The Leathernecks fought their way back 22-14 advantage on the scoreboard in the back half of the period.

Second Half:
WIU got its first lead of the contest with a strong start in the second half at 33-31 on an Anthony Jones jumper at the 12:55 mark. Western Illinois took control from there, closing the game with a 42-36 advantage the rest of the way.

Up Next:
Denver (2-14, 1-8 Summit League) wraps up the two-game series with game two on Saturday. Tip is set for 6 PM MT and can be seen on ESPN Plus.

CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here.

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