Rohnert’s 32 Points Propels Denver Past Wyoming, 80-77

Nate Rohnert had a career-high 32 points, while adding eight rebounds and six assists

DENVER – Senior captain Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) scored a career high 32 points to lead the University of Denver men’s basketball team overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat Wyoming 80-77 on Wednesday night at Magness Arena.

“I am really proud of our team tonight,” head coach Joe Scott said. “Our guys hung tough and made the plays that needed to be made, and Nate Rohnert played like the senior leader that he is.”

After trailing 44-34 at halftime, the Pioneers (3-1) opened the second half on a 12-5 run to tie the score at 52-52.

Trailing by three with 6:22 remaining, junior forward Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) hit a three-pointer from the corner, sparking a 9-0 Denver run that included a Rohnert three-pointer that put the Pioneers on top 64-61, and was capped by a Hooper dunk.

Rohnert sealed the game in the final minute with four free throws.

Hooper scored 14 points on the night, and the Pioneers hit 81.4 percent of their free throws, including an 8-for-8 performance from junior guard Kyle Lewis (Denver, Colo.) and 7-for-8 from sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.).

In addition to the new career high in points, Rohnert set a Magness Arena record with 18 free-throws made, which was also the most since Mark Langkamp’s 18 on Jan. 18, 1984, and one shy of DU’s record.

Afam Muojeke led the Cowboys (2-2) with 20 points, and A. J. Davis had 19 points.

Next, the Pioneers hit the road for the first time this season to take on South Dakota State on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT.