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.