Pioneers Defeat Arkansas State, 64-55

Denver ends 2009 with third-straight conference victory

DENVER – The University of Denver closed out 2009 with a 64-55 victory over Sun Belt Conference foe Arkansas State at Magness Arena on Thursday afternoon.

The Pioneers (10-4, 3-0 SBC), who were up by as many as 16 in the second half, were led by senior Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.), who finished with 15 points and five rebounds. Sophomore Sabatino Chen (Louisville, Colo.) and freshman Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) each contributed 12 points.

“I thought that we played solid basketball today,” said assistant coach Mike McKee, who was acting as head coach as Joe Scott served a one-game suspension for being ejected at Northern Colorado on Dec. 28, per SBC rules. “We have been able to develop our team depth this season, and I think that today’s victory was a reflection of that.”

Denver shot 54.2 percent (13-of-24) in the first half and scored the final eight points before the break, heading into the locker rooms with a 34-20 advantage.

The Pioneers led 61-49 with 40 seconds to play before two ASU three-pointers brought the Red Wolves to within seven points, but two free throws from sophomore Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) sealed the 64-55 Denver victory.

With its third-straight SBC victory, DU is off to its best start in conference play since the 2005-06 season when the Pioneers started off 3-0.

ASU’s Martavius Adams scored 17 points as the Red Wolves fell to 6-6 overall and 1-1 in the SBC.

The Pioneers will continue conference play as they travel to face Troy on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. MT.

- www.denverpioneers.com -

Afterthought Theater Company presents

“The Meeting” by Jeff Stetson

A fictional account of a debate between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. 

Directed by Reynelda Snell

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Afterthought Theater Company presents “The Meeting” by Jeff Stetson for one night only on Saturday, January 16 at Shadow Theatre, 1468 Dayton Street, Aurora, CO. 80010. Tickets are $35 and include a buffet dinner in the lobby beginning at 6:00 p.m. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and runs 1 hour 10 minutes without intermission. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 720-857-8000 or online at www.ticketannex.com.

If the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had met for an hour or so, what would they have found to say to each other? “The Meeting” probes what would have happened if Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X had met before they were assassinated - just three years apart. This intriguing idea is portrayed as a dialog. A hotel room provides a compelling setting for these two prominent men of our recent history, who changed our nation and the world.

“Let us not forget these two national treasures, revisit their legacies and embrace their ideals as we march toward a brighter tomorrow.” President Barack Obama.

The cast includes Cris Davenport as Martin Luther King Jr. and Joseph Fuqua Jones as Malcolm X.; Russell Costen joins the cast as Rashad, bodyguard to Malcolm X.

Jeff Stetson is an internationally acclaimed award-winning playwright and screenwriter for film and television.

Stetson adapted “The Meeting” for PBS. and American Playhouse where it received an Emmy award and was called “the perfect play” by The Los Angeles Sentinel. He is currently writing a movie based on the play for Black Entertainment Television. “The Meeting” received a Louis B. Mayer Award, eight NAACP Theater Awards, and six New York AUDELCO nominations. It has been produced throughout Asia, Europe and the United States.

Afterthought Theater Company presents

“The Meeting”

What would have happened if Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X had met before they were assassinated?

Saturday, January 16

Shadow Theatre, 1468 Dayton Street, Aurora, CO. 80010

Dinner begins at 6:00pm / Show begins at 7:30pm

$35 including a buffet dinner

Call 720-857-8000 or online at ticketannex.com

Denver Falls 72-57 at UNC

Hooper scored 14 points and Stafford added 11

GREELEY, Colo. – The University of Denver men’s basketball team fell 72-57 to Northern Colorado on Monday night at Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.

Junior Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) scored a team-high 14 points with a 4-for-6 performance from beyond the three-point line, while sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) had 11 points.

“I thought we showed great resiliency to make it a game,” head coach Joe Scott said. “It takes a certain level of experience to beat a good team on the road, and Northern Colorado is a good team. We need to keep working to improve.”

Denver (9-4, 2-0 SBC) led most of the first half, shooting 56.5 percent (13-for-23) from the field and 7-of-10 from three-point range, but the Bears (11-3) stormed back to finish the half on a 12-5 run and led 38-33 at the break.

The Bears built their lead to 10 points with 14:41 remaining, but a backdoor layup by junior forward Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.), a three-pointer by Stafford and a layup by senior guard Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) cut the deficit to 51-48 with 9:05 left in the game. UNC responded with eight-straight points.

UNC’s Devon Beitzel led all scorers with 19 points, and Will Figures added 15 points. Northern Colorado’s win marks their ninth-straight at home and gives the Bears their best start since 1966-67, when the team opened the season 17-2.

The Pioneers return to Magness Arena to face Sun Belt Conference foe Arkansas State on Thurs., Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN AM 1600.

- www.denverpioneers.com

Late Heroics Propel Denver to 84-83 Win Over Seattle

Hooper’s three-pointer with 1.8 seconds left lifts Pioneers; Rohnert sets new career high with 34 points

DENVER – Junior Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) drained a three-pointer from the corner with 1.8 seconds left in the game to propel the University of Denver men’s basketball team to an 84-83 victory over Seattle on Tuesday night at Magness Arena.

“All I asked was for these guys to never give up, and it paid off,” head coach Joe Scott said. “I am proud of our ability to stick with the game. It’s a Merry Christmas for the Pioneers.”

The Pioneers (9-3, 2-0 SBC) trailed by two points with four seconds remaining after Seattle’s Peter Harris went 1-for-2 from the free throw line. Junior forward Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) inbounded the ball from the baseline to sophomore guard Sabatino Chen (Louisville, Colo.), who immediately tipped a pass to Hooper in the corner for the game-winning basket.

Denver, which trailed 64-48 with 11:58 left in the game, chipped away at the deficit, but Seattle (6-7) maintained a five-point lead with 59 seconds left.

Layups by Chen, Lewis and sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) in the final minute brought the Pioneers to within striking distance for the shot by Hooper, who was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week earlier in the day.

Rohnert finished the night with a career-high 34 points, which gave him 1,049 points in his career and moved him into 24^th on Denver’s all-time scoring list.

With their third straight victory, the Pioneers extend their home winning streak to eight games.

Next, the Pioneers travel to Greeley, Colo., to take on in-state foe Northern Colorado (10-3) on Mon., Dec. 28 at 7 p.m.

- www.denverpioneers.com -

Denver Routs Louisiana-Monroe, 87-65

Rohnert eclipses 1,000 career points as the Pioneers post the second-best scoring performance in team history

What a great game!

Yesterday Senior Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) scored his 1,000^th career point and the Pioneers shot 70.5 percent from the field, as the University of Denver men’s basketball team routed Sun Belt Conference foe Louisiana-Monroe 87-65 on Saturday afternoon at Magness Arena.

The Pioneers (8-3, 2-0 SBC) were 31-for-44 from the field to record the second best field goal percentage in DU history and the best since hitting 76.2 percent against CU-Colorado Springs on Feb. 12, 1988.

For the second time this season, there were five Pioneers with double-digit point totals. Leading the way was junior forward Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.), who went 7-for-8 from the field and 5-for-5 from three-point range to rack up 19 points. Rohnert posted 16 points and eight assists, bringing his career point total to 1,015. Sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) scored 14 points, while junior forward Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) contributed 12 points and a team-high five rebounds. Freshman forward Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) tallied 11 points and had two blocks and two steals.

“We were able to take care of the ball today. I was pleased with our defensive effort as well as our ability to make some good shots to stretch our lead,” head coach Joe Scott said. “It’s a long season and we have to make sure that we continue to get better in all aspects of our game, but it’s nice to have a 2-0 conference record right now.”

The Warhawks (3-8, 0-2 SBC) were led by Dynile Forbes and Tony Hooper, who scored 21 and 15 points, respectively.

Next, the Pioneers will host Seattle on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. MT, which will be aired live on FSN Rocky Mountain.

- www.DenverPioneers.com -

For more than 75 years, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie books have enthralled children with the stories of pioneer America. The beloved television series, starring Melissa Gilbert as Laura, made the Ingalls family part of our own.

Tonight I had the treat of watching this exciting performance with my daughter Regan, who remembered Little House on the Prarie from the TV show she and her sister watched when they were very small, and then later reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, made all the more interesting and meaningful because they went to Laura Ingalls Wilder elementary school in Littleton.

Tonight's performance captured the strong personalities that settled the frontier when Abe Lincoln's stimulus package, the Homestead Act, was signed into law, and settlers could claim their 160 acres, work it for 5 years, and then own the land free and clear. But it wasn't free, it was hard work with many set backs.

The cast is excellent and the choreography and songs are stirring. Melissa Gilbert who was Laura in the TV series is cast as Laura's mother, and Laura is played by the phenomenal Kara Lindsay.

Playing through December 27, don't miss it! Tickets start at $25
Groups (15+) submit a Group Request by using the button above or call 303.446.4829
Running time: 2 hrs 30 min with a 15 min intermission
More info and tickets at: http://denvercenter.org/shows-and-events/Shows/LittleHouse/Overview.aspx

Game #11: Denver (7-3, 1-0 SBC) vs. Louisiana-Monroe (3-7, 0-1 SBC)

Saturday, December 19, 2009 • 4 p.m. MT

Magness Arena (7,200) • Denver, Colo.

           TV: None • Radio: AM 950 • Web: www.DenverPioneers.com (Video and Audio)

For ticket information, please visit DenverPioneers.com or call the Pioneer Basketball Ticket Hotline at (303) 871-HOOP.

About Denver: The Pioneers enter Thursday’s game following a 59-53 victory over Florida International in Denver’s Sun Belt Conference opener. DU has won seven of the past nine games. Denver returns nine players, including all five starters, and 98 percent of its scoring and rebounding from last year. DU was picked second in the Sun Belt West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, and senior captain and guard Nate Rohnert was named to the Preseason All-SBC First Team.  

About Louisiana-Monroe: The Warhawks have their last five games and are concluding a four-game road trip in Denver on Saturday. ULM fell 95-84 at Northern Colorado on Wednesday after dropping their first SBC game to North Texas on Dec. 13. ULM was predicted to finish fifth in the SBC West Division in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Fifth year head coach Orlando Early returns all five starters from last year’s squad, plus 2007-08 All-SBC third team selection Tony Hooper, who returns as a Preseason All-SBC third team member after missing most of last season with a broken foot. The Warhawks finished 10th in the Sun Belt last year, ending their season with a 66-57 loss to the Pioneers in the First Round of the Sun Belt Tournament at Magness Arena. Malcolm Thomas, who also was voted Preseason All-SBC third team, is not expected to suit up against Denver. Lawrence Gilbert leads the Warhawks with 12.5 points per game, just ahead of Hooper’s 12.0 points per game. Coming off the bench, Tommie Sykes leads ULM with 5.4 rebounds per game.

The Match-up: The Pioneers lead the all-time series 6-4 and have not lost to the Warhawks in any of their five meetings in Denver. DU swept three match ups with ULM last season.

Magness Magic: The Pioneers have won six-straight at home, following a season opening loss to Missouri Valley favorite Northern Iowa. Since Joe Scott took over as head coach prior to the 2007-08 season, the Pioneers are 26-7 (.788) at Magness Arena.

Shooting Stars: Denver is fourth in the nation with a 51.6 field goal percentage. Only No. 5 Syracuse (55.2 percent), No. 18 Ohio State (52.3) and No. 2 Texas (51.8) have a higher percentage from the floor. The Pioneers rank just ahead of St. Bonaventure (51.5), No. 1 Kansas (51.2) and No. 10 North Carolina (51.0). The Pioneers also moved up to eighth in the nation with a 42.9 three-point field goal percentage, following Thursday’s 11-for-22 performance from beyond the arc. Although no DU player qualifies for the minimum in either NCAA individual category, Tyler Thalken (66.7), Travis Hallam (66.7), Sabatino Chen (61.1), Chase Hallam (58.3), Rob Lewis (56.8), Nate Rohnert (53.8) and Andrew Hooper (50.0) all are shooting better than 50 percent from the floor.

More Shooting Stars: The Pioneers shot 50.0 percent from both the field (19-of-38) and three-point range (11-of-22) against FIU on Thursday. It marked the fifth time this year that DU had done so. The Pioneers were also 90.9 percent (10-of-11) from the free throw line, their first time performance above 90 percent since going a perfect 11-of-11 on Feb. 26, 2009 on the road against Louisiana-Monroe, DU’s opponent on Saturday.

O Captain! My Captain!: Nate Rohnert’s next point will be No. 1,000 in his career. The senior captain is seventh on DU’s all-time career list with 283 assists and sits 18 shy of sixth place. Rohnert also has 286 career free throw made, ninth on DU’s all-time list and eight shy of Dick Brott for seventh, and he is 10th with 403 free throw attempts. The Parker, Colo., native has career totals of 412 rebounds and 99 steals in 98 games at Denver.

Be the Three: Junior forward Andrew Hooper hit his 81st career three- pointer on Thursday, leaving him just one shy of 10th place on DU’s all-time list. However, teammates Brian Stafford and Kyle Lewis are right on Hooper’s heels with 78 and 75 career three-pointers, respectively.

Rocky Mountain Way: Eight of Denver’s 15 players hail from Colorado: Sabatino Chen (Louisville), Tom Chott (Littleton), Justin Coughlin (Yuma), Andrew Hooper (Lakewood), Kyle Lewis (Denver), Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs), Trevor Noonan (Broomfield) and Nate Rohnert (Parker).

Pioneers Take Conference Opener with 59-53 Win over FIU

Hooper scores 13 points as DU defeats Florida International

DENVER –The University of Denver men’s basketball team opened up Sun Belt Conference play with a 59-53 victory over Florida International on Thursday night at Magness Arena.

Junior forward Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) went 5-for-8 from the field and 3-for-4 from behind the three-point arc to lead the Pioneers (7-3, 1-0 SBC) with 13 points. Sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) tacked on 11 points, while freshman forward Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) added 10 points.

“Teams don’t just go away. You have to make them go away,” head coach Joe Scott said. “I am happy that we got our first conference win and that we continue to be successful at home.”

After DU built a 40-27 lead in the second half, Florida International (3-10, 0-1 SBC) went on a 17-5 run to pull within one point with 4:51 left in the game. A layup by Hooper and three pointers by Chase Hallam and sophomore guard Travis Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) put DU on top 53-46 with 48 seconds to play. The Pioneers sealed the victory with free throws from senior Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.), Stafford and Sabatino Chen (Louisville, Colo.).

The Pioneers were 10-for-11 from the free throw line, as they won their sixth-straight game in Magness Arena.

Antoine Watson scored a game-high 20 points for the Panthers, who fell to 3-10 on the season and 0-1 in the SBC.

The Pioneers continue conference play as they host Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Opens Tomorrow 

Little House on the Prairie The Musical

Dec 15-Dec 27, 2009

The Buell Theatre

For more than 75 years, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie books have enthralled children with the stories of pioneer America. The beloved television series, starring Melissa Gilbert as Laura, made the Ingalls family part of our own.

Now, this American classic is about to take on a brand new frontier, as the wonderfully inspiring experiences of this pioneer family come to life in Little House on the Prairie, The Musical.

Tickets start at $25
Groups (15+) submit a Group Request by using the button above or call 303.446.4829
Running time: 2 hrs 30 min with a 15 min intermission
More info and tickets at: http://denvercenter.org/shows-and-events/Shows/LittleHouse/Overview.aspx

Pioneers Fall to Pilots, 72-62

Rob Lewis had a season-high 16 points, but Portland prevailed

PORTLAND, Ore. – University of Denver men’s basketball junior forward Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) led all players with a season-high 16 points, but the Pioneers fell to the Portland Pilots 72-62 at Chiles Center on Saturday afternoon.

“We did a good job in the first half and took care of the ball,” head coach Joe Scott said. “In the second half, we didn’t take care of the ball. If you want to be successful on the road against a good team, and Portland is good, you can’t give them additional opportunities.”

The Pioneers led by two points with 15:59 left in the game, but the Pilots fought back with a 13-2 run over a five-minute stretch in the second half.

Sophomore Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) added 13 points and a team-high five rebounds, while freshman guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) had 12 points and four steals.

Portland built a nine-point lead less than five minutes into the game, but Denver came back strong, culminating in a three-point play by Rob Lewis with one second to go before halftime, and the Pioneers led 35-33 at the break.

Both teams shot well in the first half, as Denver was 14-for-26 (53.8 percent) from the field, and Portland was 14-of-27 (51.9 percent).

Portland was led by Nik Raivio’s 12 points, while Kramer Knutson and T.J. Campbell had 11 each. Luke Sikma pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.

The Pioneers return home to face Florida International in their first Sun Belt Conference game of the season at Magness Arena on Thurs., Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. MT.

Game #9: Denver (6-2) vs. Portland (5-3)

Saturday, December 12, 2009 • 2 p.m. MT

Chiles Center (4,852) • Portland, Ore.

           TV: None • Radio: AM 950 • Web: www.DenverPioneers.com (Audio only)

About Denver: The Pioneers enter Saturday’s game following an 89-82 victory over 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Cal State Northridge on Dec. 8, DU’s sixth win in the past seven games. Denver returns nine players, including all five starters, and 98 percent of its scoring and rebounding from last year. DU was picked second in the Sun Belt West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, and senior captain and guard Nate Rohnert was named to the Preseason All-SBC First Team.  

About Portland: The Pilots jumped into the Top 25 on Nov. 30, the first time UP had been ranked in 50 years. However, Portland has dropped its last three games, including a 20-point loss at Idaho on Dec. 6. Among their five wins, the Pilots have knocked off No. 16 Minnesota and beat UCLA by 27 points on Thanksgiving night. Portland was predicted by various national publications to compete with Gonzaga for the West Coast Conference title this season, and it was picked second in the WCC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Seniors Nik Raivio and T.J. Campbell both were named Preseason All-WCC, and they are leading the Pilots with 15.1 and 15.0 points per game, respectively. Portland returns all five starters and 12 of 13 letterwinners from last year’s team, which finished 19-13 overall and was third in the WCC.  The Pilots also welcome two newcomers to their squad.

The Match-up: Denver holds a 6-5 advantage in the all-time series, but the Pilots won the past three meetings. The Pioneers are 1-4 in Portland, the last of which was in 1997, when DU’s Adam McCanna set the Chiles Center record with eight blocked shots. 

Seeing Double: Five Pioneers scored in double digits in DU’s win over Cal State Northridge on Dec. 8, marking the first time Denver had five players with at least 10 points since Feb. 10, 2008.

Back to the 80s: Denver’s 89 points against Cal State Northridge on Dec. 8 were the most by a team coached by Joe Scott. In fact, entering this season Scott-led teams had scored 80 or more points only six times and just once since 2004 (80 - DU vs. Troy on Feb. 7, 2008). The Pioneers have done so three times in the first eight games this season: 80 vs. Wyoming (11/24), 83 at South Dakota State (11/28) and vs. CSU Northridge (12/8). Scott has never lost when his team scored 80 points.

For Starters: The Pioneers’ 6-2 record to open the season is the team’s best since starting 7-0 in 1996-97.

Shooting Stars: Denver shot 59.1 percent (26-of-44) from the field against Cal State Northridge on Dec. 8, after which the Pioneers moved into third in the nation with a 52.3 field goal percentage. Only Syracuse (55.7 percent) and Ohio State (52.5) had a higher percentage from the floor. The Pioneers are also ranked 12th in the nation with a 43.8 three-point field goal percentage. Although no DU player qualifies for the minimum in either individual category, Tyler Thalken (71.4), Travis Hallam (63.6), Chase Hallam (62.8), Sabatino Chen (61.1), Rob Lewis (55.0), Nate Rohnert (53.6) and Andrew Hooper (53.3 percent) all are shooting better than 50 percent from the floor.

O Captain! My Captain!: Nate Rohnert needs just 14 points to reach 1,000 in his career. The senior captain also is seventh on DU’s all-time career list with 284 and sits 17 assists shy of sixth place. Rohnert also has 284 career free throw made, ninth on DU’s all-time list and 10 shy of Dick Brott for seventh, and he is 10th with 400 free throw attempts. The Parker, Colo., native has career totals of 406 rebounds, 278 assists and 97 steals in 96 games at Denver.

Be the Three: Junior forward Andrew Hooper hit his 77th career three- pointer on Tuesday, leaving him just five shy of 10th place on DU’s all-time list. However, teammates Kyle Lewis and Brian Stafford are right on Hooper’s heels with 73 and 72 career three-pointers, respectively. Hooper, who went 5-for-7 from beyond the arc in the last two games, is shooting 52.9 percent (18-of-34) from three-point range this season, increasing his career total to 47.9 percent.

Denver Beats Cal State Northridge, 89-82

Five Pioneers score in double figures, as DU knocks off 2009 NCAA Tournament team

DENVER –Five University of Denver men’s basketball players scored in double digits to lift the Pioneers past Cal State Northridge 89-82 at Magness Arena on Tuesday night.

Senior captain Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) led the Pioneers (6-2) with 17 points, while freshman guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) went 6-8 from the field and 3-4 from three-point range to set a new career mark at 16 points. Junior forward Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) went 2-for-3 from behind the arc to tally 12 points, while junior Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and sophomore Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) each scored 11 points. Lewis also led DU with seven rebounds.

DU never trailed, holding the Matadors scoreless for the first 2:58 of the game while going on a 5-0 run. The Pioneers later went on a 15-6 run that helped them to build a 45-35 lead going into halftime.

The Pioneers built a 15-point lead shortly into the second half, but a 10-0 Matadors’ run closed the gap to five with 13:31 remaining.

Denver regained a double digit advantage, but three three-pointers and a three-point play brought the Matadors to within two points 3:36 left in the game.

A deep three-pointer and layup by sophomore guard Travis Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) put the Pioneers up 83-76 and DU carried the momentum for the rest of the game.

“Tonight was a great example of having to find a different way to win,” head coach Joe Scott said. “We didn’t shoot well from the free throw line, but we took care of the ball and brought home a decisive win against a team that was in the NCAA tournament last year. I am proud of our guys and the fact that we are 5-1 at home.”

The Pioneers have not lost at home since the first game of the season against Northern Iowa.

Willie Galick led the Matadors (4-5) with 20 points, and Lenny Daniel had a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Next, the Pioneers hit the road to take on Portland on Saturday at 2 p.m. MT, before returning home to face Florida International in their first Sun Belt Conference game of the season on Dec. 17.

Game #8: Denver (5-2) vs. Cal State Northridge (4-4)

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 • 7 p.m. MT

Magness Arena (7,200) • Denver, Colo.

           TV: None • Radio: AM 950 • Web: www.DenverPioneers.com (Video & Audio)

Ticket Info: Men's basketball season tickets for the 2009-10 Denver Pioneers are currently on sale. DU continues its commitment to provide the community with the most affordable and exciting entertainment in the Denver metro area. Ticket packages start at $64.
Individual game tickets also are on sale with prices ranging from $9-$15 for adults. DU students get into the game free with their Pioneer Card.
For ticket information, please visit DenverPioneers.com or call the Pioneer Basketball Ticket Hotline at (303) 871-HOOP.

About Denver: The Pioneers enter Tuesday’s game following a 64-59 defeat at Colorado State on Dec. 5, which snapped DU’s five-game winning streak. Denver returns nine players, including all five starters, and 98 percent of its scoring and rebounding from last year. DU was picked second in the Sun Belt West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, and senior captain and guard Nate Rohnert was named to the Preseason All-SBC First Team.  

About Cal State Northridge: The Matadors are 4-4 this season, winning three-straight games before falling 88-76 to No. 10 Washington on Sunday. However, CSUN is 0-3 on the road this season. The Matadors return three starters and nine letterwinners from last year’s team, which won the Big West Conference Tournament and nearly knocked off No. 2-seeded Memphis in the 2009 NCAA Tournament First Round. CSU Northridge was picked third in the Big West preseason poll. Kenny Daniels leads CSUN in scoring at 18.1 points per game, while Lenny Daniel is averaging 10.0 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds per game. The Matadors are first in the Big West in scoring offense (76.1 ppg), but last in scoring defense (80.8 ppg against), and are second in blocked shots at 3.1 per game.

The Match-up: Cal State Northridge beat Denver 80-53 last season in the first-ever meeting between the teams.

Magness Magic: The Pioneers have won four-straight at home, following a season opening loss to Missouri Valley favorite Northern Iowa. Since Joe Scott took over as head coach prior to the 2007-08 season, the Pioneers are 25-7 (.781) at Magness Arena.

Be the Three: Junior forward Andrew Hooper hit his 75th career three-pointer on Saturday, leaving him just seven shy of 10th place on DU’s all-time list. However, teammates Kyle Lewis and Brian Stafford are right on Hooper's heels with 72 and 71 career three-pointers, respectively. Hooper, who went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc against Colorado State, is shooting 51.6 percent (16-of-31) from three-point range this season, increasing his career total to 47.6 percent.

Shooting Stars: According to the Dec. 6 NCAA national ranking summary, Denver has the fifth ranked field goal percentage in the nation. Only Syracuse (55.7 percent), Ohio State (52.4) and Murray State (52.1) have a higher percentage from the floor than DU’s 51.3 percent. The Pioneers are also ranked 17th in the nation with a 42.2 three-point field goal percentage. Although no DU player qualifies for the minimum in either individual category, Tyler Thalken (71.4), Sabatino Chen (61.5), Chase Hallam (60.0), Rob Lewis (56.3), Travis Hallam (55.6), Andrew Hooper (51.8 percent) and Nate Rohnert (51.6) all are shooting better than 50 percent from the floor.

O Captain! My Captain!: Senior captain Nate Rohnert earned Sun Belt Player of the Week honors last week after combining for 45 points in DU wins against Wyoming and South Dakota State. Rohnert’s 32 points against the Cowboys were the most by a Denver player since Yemi Nicholson scored 33 against Northern Colorado on Jan. 11, 2006. Rohnert has 40 assists, while committing just 10 turnovers this season, giving him a 4.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, ninth among NCAA Division I players and the top ratio in the SBC.

Milestone Watch: Nate Rohnert is seventh on DU’s all-time career list with 274 and sits 27 assists shy of sixth place. Rohnert also has 277 career free throw made, one shy of Alex Sund for ninth on DU’s all-time list, and he is 10th with 390 free throw attempts. The senior captain has career totals of 969 points, 403 rebounds, 274 assists and 97 steals in 95 games at Denver.

Rocky Mountain Way: Eight of Denver’s 15 players hail from Colorado: Sabatino Chen (Louisville), Tom Chott (Littleton), Justin Coughlin (Yuma), Andrew Hooper (Lakewood), Kyle Lewis (Denver), Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs), Trevor Noonan (Broomfield) and Nate Rohnert (Parker).

Scott Signs Dallas Prep: High school senior Chris Udofia signed a National Letters of Intent on Nov. 11 to play for Denver beginning next season. Udofia, a 6-foot-6 forward, earned First Team All-District and District Defensive Player of the Year with Jesuit Prep High School in Dallas, Texas.

Transfer of Power: Sophomore forward Trevor Noonan joined the Pioneers this season after transferring from Air Force. Due to NCAA rules, Noonan will not be eligible to play until next season.

Pioneers Fall to Rams, 64-59

Andrew Hooper scored 11 points, while three other Pioneers had 10 each

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The University of Denver men’s basketball team had four players score in double digits, but Colorado State used free throws down the stretch to take a 64-59 victory over the Pioneers at Moby Arena on Saturday night.

“I like that we put ourselves in position at the end of the game,” head coach Joe Scott said. “I’m disappointed in the outcome and that we did not capitalize after we put ourselves in position to win, but our players can learn from this game.”

Junior Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) led the Pioneers (5-2) with 11 points, while senior captain Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.), sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) and sophomore guard Sabatino Chen (Louisville, Colo.) had 10 points each. Stafford and Rohnert both added six rebounds and two steals. 

The Pioneers cut the deficit to one point following a Hooper three-pointer with 1:55 remaining in the game, but the Rams (5-3) went 6-for-8 from the free throw line the rest of the way to seal it.

The Rams hit just 3-of-13 field goals in the second half (23.1 percent) and shot 14-for-37 (37.8 percent) in the game, but CSU nailed 32-of-42 free throws (76.2 percent), including 22 in the second half. The Pioneers made 18-of-38 from the field (47.4 percent) but just 16-of-26 from the free throw line (61.5 percent) in the game.

The loss snapped a five-game Pioneers winning streak, and the Rams remain undefeated against DU in Fort Collins since 1979.

Colorado State guard Adam Nigon led all players with 14 points, and Andy Ogide added a dozen.

The Pioneers return home to Magness Arena to take on 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Cal State Northridge on Tuesday at 7 p.m. MT.

Game #7: Denver (5-1) vs. Colorado State (4-3)

Saturday, December 5, 2009 • 7 p.m. MT

Moby Arena (8,745) • Fort Collins, Colo.

           TV: None • Radio: AM 950 • Web: www.DenverPioneers.com (Audio only)

About Denver: The Pioneers enter Saturday’s game as the winners of five straight, including a 62-55 win over Lamar on Dec. 2. Denver returns nine players, including all five starters, and 98 percent of its scoring and rebounding from last year. DU was picked second in the Sun Belt West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, and senior captain and guard Nate Rohnert was named to the Preseason All-SBC First Team.  

About Colorado State: The Rams are 4-3 this season, beating Mayville State and San Francisco in their two home games and winning a pair of neutral site games to open the season. CSU fell 70-63 at Northern Colorado in its last outing on Tuesday. The Rams return three starters and 10 letterwinners from last year’s team, and were picked eighth in the Mountain West Conference. Freshman Dorian Green leads CSU in scoring at 14.4 points per game, while Andy Ogide (12.9 ppg), Andre McFarland (10.7 ppg) and Travis Franklin (10.1 ppg) all are averaging double figures, as well. The Rams are first in the MWC in three-point defense (25.8 percent), and rank second in three-point field goals (37.9 percent) and field goal defense (37.1 percent).

The Match-up: Colorado State holds a 90-66 advantage in Denver’s longest running rivalry, dating back to DU’s first season in 1904. The Pioneers beat the Rams 66-55 at Magness Arena last season, snapping a three-game losing streak to CSU, but Denver is 24-55 all-time in Fort Collins and has not won there since Jan. 6, 1979.

Road Less Traveled: The Pioneers have won three-straight road games, dating back to last season. Denver beat South Dakota State 83-80 in Brookings, S.D., on Nov. 28.

Welcome Back: Junior forward Rob Lewis, last year’s team leader in rebounding, returned to the lineup for the first time this season against South Dakota State on Nov. 28 after being sidelined with a stress reaction in his right leg. Lewis has played just 24 minutes in the two games since his return, but he has a combined 17 points, five rebounds and three assists.

O Captain! My Captain!: Senior captain Nate Rohnert earned Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week honors after scoring a career-high 32 points against Wyoming on Nov. 25 and 13 points at South Dakota State on Nov. 28, both DU victories. Rohnert’s 32 points against the Cowboys were the most by a Denver player since Yemi Nicholson scored 33 against Northern Colorado on Jan. 11, 2006. Rohnert hit 18 free throws, a Magness Arena record and one shy of John Johnson’s all-time mark (19 vs. Utah State, Feb. 23, 1974) at Denver. The last Pioneer with 18 free throws made was Mark Langkamp (18 at Regis, Jan. 1, 1984). Rohnert has 35 assists, while committing just nine turnovers this season, giving him a 3.9 assist-to-turnover ratio, the best in the SBC. Through the Dec. 1 SBC Release, Preseason All- Sun Belt Conference First Team honoree also ranked among the SBC’s top 15 in points (first, 19.2 ppg), assists (second , 6.0 apg), minutes played (second, 34.6 mpg), three-point field goal percentage (third, .600), defensive rebounds (third, 5.6 rpg), rebounds (11th, 6.4 rpg) and field goal percentage (15th, .500).

Milestone Watch: Nate Rohnert is one assist from tying Derrick Fuller for seventh on DU’s all-time career list with 270 and sits 32 assists shy of sixth place. The senior captain has career totals of 959 points, 397 rebounds, 269 assists and 95 steals in 94 games at Denver.

Happy Beginnings: The Pioneers started the season 5-1, their best start since going 5-1 in 2005-06. DU’s four victories in November were the most Denver had ever won in November during the 106-year history of the program.

Hot Shots: Denver shot a blistering 67.3 percent (33-of-49) from the field at South Dakota State on Nov. 28, the fourth highest single game total in DU history and the highest since making 76.2 percent on Feb. 12, 1988.

Shooting Stars: The NCAA released its first national ranking summary on Nov. 30, and Denver ranked fifth in the nation in three-point shooting at 47.7 percent and seventh in field goal percentage (52.2), which both also are tops in the Sun Belt. Five Pioneers rank among the SBC’s top 11 in three-point field goal percentage: Chase Hallam (75.0), Nate Rohnert (60.0), Andrew Hooper (50.0), Kyle Lewis (50.0) and Brian Stafford (48.1). Hallam also ranked third in the SBC, shooting 66.7 percent from the field.

Denver Downs Lamar, 62-55

Nate Rohnert had 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and a career-high four steals in DU’s victory

DENVER- The University of Denver men’s basketball team defeated the Lamar Cardinals 62-55 tonight in Magness Arena.

 “Being 5-1 says something. We’ve played some good teams, and we did what we needed tonight,” head coach Joe Scott said. “There are things I’m not going to be happy about, but I think Rob Lewis helped us in the second half in only his second game back, and I thought Sabatino Chen gave us a big lift in the first half.”

Senior captain Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) led DU in scoring with 20 points and five rebounds. He also had 5 assists and tied his career-high with four steals. Junior forward Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) added nine points, all in the second half, in just his second game after returning from an injury.

The Pioneers (5-1) had a slow start against the Cardinals (3-5) before sophomore guard Sabatino Chen (Louisville, Colo.) sparked a 9-0 run halfway through the first half. However, Lamar led 29-26 at the break.

With 7:55 left in the game, Chen scored on a backdoor layup that tied the game at 44-44, and Denver took the lead on a Rohnert three-point play.

Junior Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) hit a three-pointer at the 5:58 mark, extending the Pioneers’ lead to five.

After the Cardinals cut the DU lead back to two, Rohnert scored on a backdoor layup, and the Pioneers sealed the victory with free throws in the final minute.

Denver went 21-of-42 (50.0 percent) in shots from the field and held Lamar to 17-of-37 (45.9 percent). The Pioneers committed just nine turnovers, while causing 17 by the Cardinals.

The Pioneers head up to Fort Collins on Saturday to take on the Colorado State Rams at 7 p.m. MT. You can listen on Denver radio AM950.

Pioneer Hot Shots Down South Dakota, 83-80

Denver shot 67.3 percent from the field and 64.3 percent from three-point range in the victory

BROOKINGS, S.D. – The University of Denver men’s basketball team shot 67.3 percent from the field to beat the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 83-80 on Saturday night at Frost Arena.   

“South Dakota is a very, very good team, very well coached. What our guys did was show a lot of resolve on the road to hang in there and never let the game get away from us,” head coach Joe Scott said. “We played about as perfect of an offensive game as we could. Now we just need to make sure we get better defensively.”

Denver hit 33-of-39 shots from the field (67.3 percent), the fourth best single game performance in DU history and the best since hitting 76.2 percent on Feb. 12, 1988. The Pioneers also made 9-of-14 from three-point range (64.3 percent).

Senior captain Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) and sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) scored 13 points each for the Pioneers, while freshman guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) and junior forward Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) both had 11 points.

The Jackrabbits (2-4) held a six-point lead with 9:07 remaining in the game, but the Pioneers charged back with an 11-0 run to reclaim the lead, when Chase Hallam hit a backdoor layup with 6:23 on the clock.

Sophomore guard Travis Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) and junior guard Kyle Lewis (Denver, Colo.) hit back-to-back layups to give the Pioneers a seven-point lead with a minute remaining in the game.

South Dakota State hit a jumper and a three-pointer in a 17-second span to cut the DU lead to two points, and a free throw cut the lead to one.

Stafford went to the line with 11 seconds remaining and hit both, and Denver held on.

Junior forward Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) returned to the lineup for the first time this season after suffering from a stress reaction in his leg, and scored eight points, pulled down three rebounds and added two assists in only seven minutes of action.

In the first half, Denver hit 58.3 percent (14-of-24) from the field and 66.7 percent (6-of-9) from three-point range, but the Jackrabbits took a 36-35 lead to halftime.

The Pioneers return home to face Lamar at Magness Arena on Tuesday at 7 p.m. MT.

Game #5: University of Denver Men's Basketball Team vs  (3-1) vs. South Dakota State (2-3)

Saturday, November 28, 2009 • 6 p.m. MT

Frost Arena (6,500) • Brookings, S.D.

           TV: None • Radio: AM 950 • Web: www.DenverPioneers.com (Video & Audio)

About Denver: The Pioneers enter Saturday’s game on a three-game winning streak, including an 80-77 victory over Wyoming on Nov. 25. Denver returns nine players, including all five starters, and 98 percent of their scoring and rebounding from last season. DU was picked second in the Sun Belt Conference West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, and senior captain and guard Nate Rohnert was named to the Preseason All-SBC First Team. Junior forward Rob Lewis, last year’s team leader in rebounding, is week-to-week with a stress reaction in his right leg. Lewis’ status is day-to-day and is doubtful against South Dakota State. 

About South Dakota State: The Jackrabbits opened the season with a pair of convincing wins at Wyoming and against Mayville State. However, South Dakota State followed it by dropping three-straight to Purdue, Boston College and East Carolina at the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, USVI. The Jackrabbits were picked fourth in the Summit League preseason poll, while Garrett Callahan was picked preseason All-Summit first team, and Anthony Cordova earned a second team nod. Callahan leads the team with 13.2 points per game, while Clint Sargent (11.2) and Cordova (10.6) also are averaging double digits in scoring. SDSU returns all five starters from a team that went 13-20 and finished seventh in the Summit League last year.

The Match-up: The Jackrabbits hold a slight 4-3 edge in the all-time series and have won all three meetings at Frost Arena. Three of the past four matchups have been won by four points or less.

Road Less Traveled: The game at South Dakota State marks the first road game in 2009-10 for DU. The Pioneers will board flights for only two of their four road trips during the nonconference season, including the trip to Brookings, S.D. The Pioneers won the final two road games of last season.

Rah, Rah Rohnert: Senior captain Nate Rohnert scored a career-high 32 points in DU’s win over Wyoming on Nov. 25, the most by a Denver player since Yemi Nicholson scored 33 against Northern Colorado on Jan. 11, 2006. Rohnert hit 18 free throws, a Magness Arena record and one shy of John Johnson’s all-time mark (19 vs. Utah State, Feb. 23, 1974) at Denver. The last Pioneer with 18 free throws made was Mark Langkamp (18 at Regis, Jan. 1, 1984). The 6-foot-5 Rohnert also added six assists against the Cowboys, increasing his career total to 260, leaving Rohnert 10 away from moving to seventh on DU’s all-time list. Rohnert has 26 assists, while committing just five turnovers this season, giving him a 5.2 assist-to-turnover ratio. Rohnert leads the Pioneers with 20.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game this season. The Parker, Colo., native recorded his second career double-double against Northern Iowa on Nov. 13 with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Rohnert earned Preseason All- Sun Belt Conference First Team honors after earning All-SBC First Team and All-District 24 Second Team last season. The senior captain finished 2008-09 ranked among the SBC’s top 10 in scoring (eighth, 15.3 ppg), field goal percentage (10th, .493), assists (third , 4.71 apg), steals (sixth, 1.29 spg) and minutes played (first, 37.00 mpg).

Three-Point D: Denver has prevented its last two opponents, Montana and Wyoming, from making a three-pointer. The Grizzlies and Cowboys went a combined 0-for-11 from beyond the arc. The Pioneers have not given up a three-pointer since Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Stephan Collins hit one with 12:01 remaining in the game. DU has not given up a three in the last 92:01.

Cut to the Chase: Freshman guard Chase Hallam has made 13 of his first 19 collegiate shots (78.9 percent), including 3-of-5 from three-point range. Hallam has averaged 8.3 points through his first four games with the Pioneers, and he is second on the team with 3.5 rebounds per game.

Foul Mood: Denver and Wyoming combined for 65 fouls on Nov. 25. The Cowboys set the Magness Arena record for both free throws made (41) and attempted (51), while Denver went 35-for-43 (81.4 percent) from the line.

Fresh Faces: Freshmen Blake Foeman, Chase Hallam and Kyle Chynoweth join the Pioneers this season. Foeman is a 6-foot-7 forward from Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Fla. Hallam is a 6-foot-5 guard from Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas, and the brother of current DU sophomore Travis Hallam. Chynoweth, a 6-foot-7 forward from Parkland, Fla., walked on the team. Also joining the roster this season is sophomore Alex Pickert, who served as a team manager last season.