University of Denver senior DaShawn Walker wasn’t aware of it until after the game Wednesday, but among the spectators at the Pioneers’ annual Pack the House game at Magness Arena was Carmelo Anthony.
Knowing his sensational 30-point performance was witnessed by the Nuggets star made Walker smile, even after the Pioneers folded late in an 81-73 loss to Colorado State before an announced crowd of 6,017.
The Rams’ defense in the second half was the biggest difference in the nonconference game. CSU (4-2) limited Walker to seven second-half points, after the Chicago native exploded for 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting – including 6-of-7 3-pointers – to help DU take a 46-38 halftime lead.
“It was just one of those nights,” Walker said of his career night that included eight 3-pointers and five rebounds. “My teammates were finding me and my shots were falling. If a guy goes 20-plus in the first half, the defense is going to switch up on you. They face-guarded me in the second half. I always had a guy on me. You have to credit their defense in the second half.”
CSU was led by forward Jason Smith (24 points, nine rebounds) and guard Tim Denson (18 points). The Rams, who allowed nine 3-pointers in the first half and 12 for the game, scored the first seven points of the second half, and 15 of the final 20.
They took a 69-68 lead on Tyler Smith’s 3-pointer with 6:11 to play and never looked back, even after Jason Smith fouled out with 5:04 remaining because of a behind-the-play skirmish with Antonio Porch. CSU, leading 77-71 with 1:14 to go, made six consecutive free throws to put the game away.
“The Pioneers (1-6) are greatly improved from where they were earlier in the year and they battled us,” CSU coach Dale Layer said. “Our defense was not up to par early, and DaShawn Walker certainly got rolling. Our defense in the second half was the key for us.”
DU freshman guard Tyler Bullock had a career-high 17 points. He and Walker combined for 11 3-pointers. Walker could have had an even bigger first half if he wasn’t on the bench in the last four minutes with two fouls.
“It’s the Pack the House game, and we just wanted to come out and give a show,” Walker said. “My teammates and I wanted it really bad, and it didn’t work out.”
COLORADO ST. (4-2)
Jas. Smith 9-10 6-11 24, Creason 3-5 0-1 6, Lewis 3-5 0-0 8, T. Smith 4-12 5-6 14, Denson 5-8 5-6 18, Jar. Smith 2-2 0-0 4, Kilby 1-1 0-0 2, A. Robinson 0-0 0-0 0, Surratt 0-0 0-0 0, F. Robinson 1-2 0-0 2, Gilling 1-10 0-2 3. Totals 29-55 16-26 81.
DENVER (1-6)
Porch 2-4 2-2 6, Jackson 0-2 0-0 0, Walker 10-16 2-5 30, Bullock 6-11 2-4 17, Wetrich 4-6 0-0 9, Timms 1-1 0-0 2, Lattimore 1-5 0-0 2, Cox 2-4 0-0 4, Rohnert 0-1 2-2 2, Howard 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 26-50 9-15 73.
Halftime – Denver 46-38. 3-point goals – Colorado St. 7-19 (Denson 3-4, Lewis 2-4, T.Smith 1-3, Gilling 1-8), Denver 12-24 (Walker 8-11, Bullock 3-5, Wetrich 1-3, Lattimore 0-1, Jackson 0-2, Cox 0-2). Fouled out – Bullock, Porch, Jas.Smith. Rebounds – Colorado St. 36 (Jas. Smith 9), Denver 24 (Lattimore, Walker 5). Assists – Colorado St. 20 (Lewis, T. Smith 4), Denver 15 (Bullock 4). Total fouls – Colorado St. 21, Denver 23. A – 6,017.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
