University of Denver point guard Steve Wetrich scored a career-high 23 points Saturday in an 80-55 victory over visiting Florida International that kept the Pioneers unbeaten in the Sun Belt Conference (3-0) and perfect at home (5-0).
Wetrich, who got his second foul early and played just four first-half minutes, went 5-of-5 from the field in the second half, with each shot beyond the 3-point arc at Hamilton Gymnasium.
Denver (10-6) made 14 of its first 18 second-half shots after shooting just 38 percent in the first 20 minutes against the lowly Golden Panthers (3-13, 0-4), who lost their 11th consecutive game. The Pioneers are on a five-game winning streak.
“It was hard to get in the flow, there were so many fouls being called,” Wetrich, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, said of the first half. “Second half, we got a lot of stops, and we got to the break with a (33-22) lead.
“When we get to the break (with a lead), we’re tough to beat.”
DU sophomore forward David Kummer also produced a career-high for points with 15, all in the first half. Senior center Yemi Nicholson, who entered the game tied for first among Sun Belt scorers (19.4) and second in rebounding (11.3), had a 16-point, seven- rebound performance. Nicholson played 29 minutes, his first time under 30 this season, in a game DU led by 23 points with 10 minutes to go.
“You could see it there for the taking, and we just couldn’t get over the hump (early),” DU coach Terry Carroll said. “We were missing layups, free throws and turning the ball over. … But in the second half, the way we shot the ball made all the difference in the world.
“When you’re making baskets, everything on your team picks up.”
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (3-13, 0-4 SUN BELT)
N’Diaye 1-5 5-6 7, Almonte 4-8 3-4 11, Bright 1-3 1-2 3, Lora 3-12 2-2 9, Chavez-Jacobo 2-3 0-0 4, Fuller 0-1 2-2 2, Giorgi 3-10 2-4 9, Lewis 0-2 0-0 0, Guyton 0-1 0-0 0, Simms 3-9 0-0 6, Villegas 2-6 0-0 4, Njie 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-60 15-20 55.
DENVER (10-6, 3-0)
Walker 4-12 0-2 9, Kummer 4-7 4-4 15, Nicholson 6-7 4-10 16, Wetrich 6-7 5-7 23, Carpenter 1-3 1-3 3, Porch 3-7 2-3 10, Giometti 1-1 0-1 2, Cox 0-1 0-0 0, Gordon 0-0 0-0 0, Seger 1-3 0-0 2, Oliver 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 26-49 16-30 80.
Halftime – Denver 33-22. 3-point goals – Florida International 2-22 (Giorgi 1-6, Lora 1-7, N’Diaye 0-1, Guyton 0-1, Bright 0-1, Chavez-Jacobo 0-1, Lewis 0-2, Villegas 0-3); Denver 12-19 (Wetrich 6-7, Kummer 3-4, Porch 2-3, Walker 1-4, Seger 0-1). Fouled out – None. Rebounds – Florida International 37 (Almonte 9), Denver 36 (Walker 9). Assists – Florida International 6 (N’Diaye 4), Denver 20 (Carpenter 5, Cox 5). Total fouls – Florida International 23, Denver 17. A – 1,165.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
