Yemi Nicholson scored 14 of the University of Denver’s first 16 points Saturday to quickly impress the multiple NBA scouts in attendance.
By halftime at Hamilton Gymnasium, the Pioneers’ star center had 20 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots against Montana State. But the 6-foot-10 Nicholson didn’t finish the nonconference game on the court, and it was backup point guard Steve Wetrich who got the game ball after DU held on to defeat the Bobcats 69-66.
Nicholson took his fifth foul, and fourth of the second half, with 5:25 remaining in regulation and DU clinging to a 57-56 lead. He fouled out with just four points and four rebounds in the second half.
“It was an opportunity for the rest of our guys to step up and show what they’re really capable of contributing without him in there,” DU coach Terry Carroll said after his team improved to 5-1 with its 10th consecutive win at home. “We all know that over 29 games he’s going to be in foul trouble, or whatever, and other people are going to have to step up and play.”
Wetrich was the unsuspecting hero. The 5-11 sophomore scored all of his 15 points in the second half, shooting 4-of-4 from the field and from the free-throw line. He made three clutch 3-pointers and did not commit any of DU’s surprisingly high 20 turnovers.
“Yemi still had a great game. Everything we do is around Yemi,” Wetrich said. “But he got into foul trouble, and we knew we had guys who could play and step up.”
Montana State’s Brandon Miller sank a 3-pointer to trim DU’s lead to 64-62 with 26 seconds to go and answered back-to-back Wetrich free throws with end-to-end layups to bring the Bobcats within two points.
After DaShawn Walker missed the second of two free throws with 3.7 seconds to go, Miller sank what appeared to be the game tying 3-pointer at the buzzer, but officials ruled the ball was not out of his hand before time expired.
MONTANA STATE (2-4)
Durr 2-8 3-3 7, Moss 3-11 3-6 9, Durham 1-4 0-0 3, Miller 5-9 0-0 13, Jefferson 6-15 0-0 16, Edmonds 0-0 0-0 0, Dissly 4-4 0-0 8, Pratt 0-0 0-0 0, Morris 0-0 0-0 0, Beye 4-4 2-3 10. Totals 25-55 8-12 66.
DENVER (5-1)
Porch 4-9 4-4 12, Carpenter 1-5 3-3 5, Nicholson 9-14 6-9 24, Walker 1-6 3-4 5, Cox 0-3 2-2 2, Kummer 1-2 2-2 4, Wetrich 4-4 4-4 15, Gordon 0-0 0-1 0, Seger 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 21-45 24-29 69.
Halftime – Tied 32-32. 3-point goals – Montana St. 8-24 (Jefferson 4-11, Miller 3-6, Durham 1-4, Moss 0-1, Durr 0-2), Denver 3-6 (Wetrich 3-3, Porch 0-1, Walker 0-1, Carpenter 0-1). Fouled out – Nicholson. Rebounds – Montana St. 23 (Moss 7), Denver 37 (Nicholson 12). Assists – Montana St. 15 (Durham 4), Denver 16 (Kummer 6). Total fouls – Montana St. 22, Denver 16. A – 1,591.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
