The University of Denver men’s basketball team showed further signs Thursday night that it is primed to improve on last season’s breakout campaign.
The Pioneers, led by reigning Sun Belt Conference player of the year Yemi Nicholson and first-year guard DaShawn Walker, erupted in the second half of their home opener to defeat Northern Arizona 78-63 at Magness Arena.
The 6-foot-11 Nicholson had 20 points and 18 rebounds, and Walker, a 6-6 junior college transfer, finished with 18 points. Nicholson’s rebounds tied his career high, and Walker’s points were the second most of his young Division I career.
“We have a good team this year and were really understanding that the way Coach (Terry Carroll) wants us to play the game works,” said Nicholson, who has 38 rebounds in his past two games.
Denver (4-1) led only 41-38 at halftime but dominated the latter 20 minutes to get off to its best five-game start under Carroll, who is in his fifth year.
Denver, coming off a 64-58 neutral site loss to Colorado State, continues its homestand Saturday afternoon against Montana State in Hamilton Gymnasium. Magness Arena will host the DU-Colorado College hockey game in the evening.
Northern Arizona (3-3) had its three-game winning streak snapped after being held to 36 percent shooting in the second half.
“Our defensive intensity picked up in the second half, and that’s the whole difference in this game,” Carroll said.
Montana State 83, N. Colorado 69
Greeley – The Bobcats (2-3) shot 54 percent from the field and were 6-of-11 on 3-pointers in the second half to rally past the Bears, who opened the season with seven losses for the first time since the 1954-55 season.
