The Trojans of Troy needed help Saturday night at Magness Arena.
But not even Brad Pitt or the real Achilles could have prevented the University of Denver men from winning their 16th consecutive home game.
The Pioneers, behind 20 points and a career-high 20 rebounds from center Yemi Nicholson, defeated Troy (Ala.) University 69-61 in a Sun Belt Conference game to improve to 8-0 at the Ritchie Center this season and 16-0 dating to last year.
“Twenty boards? I wish I could have got 50,” Nicholson said with a grin. “But I’m just really happy how the stats ended up for me individually and the team.”
Nicholson, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds at halftime to secure his 12th double-double of the season, triggered a 5-0 run that gave DU a 63-57 lead with 1:52 to play. His putback of a DaShawn Walker shot made it 60-57, and Brett Seger followed with his fourth 3-pointer.
Denver (12-9, 5-3 Sun Belt) made 6-of-8 free throws down the stretch while Troy (10-9, 3-4) went 1-of-4 – each shot by leading scorer Bobby Dixon.
Dixon led the Trojans with 24 points. Walker paced DU with 21. They each had five 3-pointers.
“I couldn’t be more proud of a group of guys,” DU coach Terry Carroll said. “I thought that last four minutes was about as good as the final four minutes that this team has played. … We really kept our composure against a trapping, pressing-type team that can really create problems for you.”
During the game DU learned it would be without senior guard Andrew Carpenter for the rest of the season. Carpenter, who had made 51 consecutive starts since joining the Pioneers last season, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Thursday’s win against visiting South Alabama.
Carpenter was averaging 5.9 points per game and led the team with 3.2 assists per game.
“Obviously losing Andrew is a big blow to our team,” Carroll said of his top defensive player. “But I was really proud of how our team stepped up tonight, knowing we aren’t going to have Andrew the rest of the year. We’re not a one-person team, never have been.”
Footnotes
Denver built early leads of 17-3 and 31-15, which disappeared after Troy runs of 8-0 and 12-0. It was 35-31 at halftime. … DU plays three of its next four games on the road, where it is 1-8.
TROY (10-9, 3-4)
Sharp 4-14 1-1 9, Jackson 3-12 1-2 8, Dixon 9-19 1-4 24, Ramsey 1-8 0-0 3, Hazouri 2-4 0-0 5, Williams 1-1 0-0 3, Davis 3-5 0-0 6, Martin 0-1 0-0 0, Acker 1-7 0-0 3. Totals 24-71 3-7 61.
DENVER (12-9, 5-3)
Walker 7-21 2-2 21, Kummer 0-2 2-2 2, Nicholson 10-18 0-0 20, Wetrich 2-7 3-4 9, Seger 4-10 0-0 12, Porch 2-7 0-0 4, Cox 0-0 0-0 0, Gordon 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 25-65 8-10 69.
Halftime – Denver 35-31. 3-point goals – Troy 10-34 (Dixon 5-11, Williams 1-1, Hazouri 1-3, Acker 1-4, Ramsey 1-7, Jackson 1-7, Martin 0-1), Denver 11-31 (Walker 5-14, Seger 4-10, Wetrich 2-6, Porch 0-1). Fouled out – Porch. Rebounds – Troy 41 (Acker 10), Denver 49 (Nicholson 20). Assists – Troy 10 (Dixon, Ramsey 3), Denver 16 (Wetrich 9). Total fouls – Troy 11, Denver 12. A – 2,090.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
