The new-look University of Denver men’s basketball team couldn’t overcome poor shooting and lost its home opener Tuesday night 74-68 to Southern Utah before a paltry crowd of 797 at Magness Arena.
The Pioneers (0-2) trailed throughout and shot just 30 percent from the field in the first half and 37.5 percent for the game. DU senior DaShawn Walker scored a game-high 27 points, but it was not enough to make up for the Thunderbirds’ 51 percent shooting and stellar guard play from senior Steve Barnes.
Barnes had 15 points and 10 assists for Southern Utah (2-0), which opened last week with a 76-73 victory at Utah. Forward Nurudeen Adepoju scored 19 points.
“That’s really a well-disciplined team, and their guards are four- and five-year guys, and we’re playing with a couple freshmen and an experienced guard corps,” DU coach Terry Carroll said. “You have to give their guys credit for really moving the ball and looking for one another, but we’ll get better at that as the year goes on.”
DU trailed 31-27 at halftime and by as many as 15 points in the second half. The Pioneers got within 65-60 with 1:36 to play with Steve Wetrich’s two free throws. But on Southern Utah’s ensuing possession, Antonio Porch was called for an intentional foul, leading to two Thunderbirds free throws and another possession.
DU freshman Nate Rohnert of Chaparral High School made his collegiate debut, with mixed results. Rohnert, who did not play in the opener last week at Colorado because of an ankle injury, made a 3-pointer on one of his first shots. But then he got cold and an earful from Carroll for not passing.
Still, Carroll dubbed Rohnert’s 14 minutes “valuable.”
SOUTHERN UTAH (2-0)
Barnes 4-10 5-6 15, Sorenson 5-7 6-8 16, Allen 3-8 0-2 8, Griego 1-3 0-0 3, Adepoju 8-10 1-2 19, Marek 1-2 0-0 3, Carson 0-0 0-0 0, Cooper 1-3 1-1 3, Kanis 1-4 0-0 2, Abrahao 2-4 0-0 5. Totals 26-51 13-19 74.
DENVER (0-2)
Walker 8-15 7-7 27, Jackson 2-5 0-0 4, Porch 3-10 3-4 9, Bullock 3-10 0-0 7, Wetrich 1-5 6-7 9, Timms 0-0 1-2 1, Cox 3-7 0-0 8, Rohnert 1-4 0-0 3. Totals 21-56 17-20 68.
Halftime – Southern Utah 31-27. 3-point goals – S. Utah 9-17 (Allen 2-3, Barnes 2-4, Adepoju 2-4, Griego 1-1, Marek 1-2, Abrahao 1-3), Denver 9-26 (Walker 4-7, Cox 2-3, Rohnert 1-3, Wetrich 1-4, Bullock 1-5, Porch 0-1, Jackson 0-3). Fouled out – Allen. Rebounds – S. Utah 32 (Barnes, Kanis, Sorenson 6), Denver 32 (Porch 10). Assists – S. Utah 16 (Barnes 10), Denver 10 (Wetrich 7). Total fouls – S. Utah 19, Denver 16. A – 797.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
