Denver Knocks Off Western  Kentucky, 72-67

Nate Rohnert scored 23 points and dished out six assists in DU’s victory

DENVER – The University of Denver men’s basketball team defeated two-time defending Sun Belt Conference champion Western Kentucky 72-67 on Saturday afternoon in Magness Arena.

Senior guard Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) paced the Sun Belt-leading Pioneers (12-5, 5-1 SBC) with 23 points, shooting 9-for-13 from the field.  Rohnert also added six assists, three rebounds and a steal.

Junior forward Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) netted 15 points, while tallying four rebounds, three assists and one block.

“Our senior and our junior played terrific tonight,” head coach Joe Scott said. “Nate has been playing well all season, but he’s really stepped it up this time of year, and Rob Lewis played his best two games in a row. That’s what you need, because when your upperclassmen play well, your team plays well.”

The No. 2 shooting team in the nation entering today’s game, Denver shot 66.7 percent from the field today, which tied for the sixth highest field goal percentage in DU history.  Western Kentucky (9-5, 2-1 SBC) shot 57.1 percent (24-of-42) from the field and hit 14-of-15 from the free throw line.

The Pioneers never trailed in the game and led by as many as 13 points with 12:12 remaining in the game, but the Hilltoppers fought back and cut the DU lead to 66-65 with 2:22 remaining, following an 11-2 run.

Sophomore guard Travis Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) caught a pass from Lewis while going backdoor, sank a hook shot and buried a free throw with 42 seconds left to play.  Hallam finished the game with eight points.

Preseason SBC Player of the Year A.J. Slaughter led the Hilltoppers with 28 points, six assists and three steals.

The Pioneers hit the road this week to play at Louisiana-Lafayette on Thurs., Jan. 14 and Louisiana-Monroe on Sat., Jan. 16.