by OMAHA – Christian Mackey (Navajo Nation) had a career day with 14 points and nine rebounds as the University of Denver men’s basketball team held on for the 75-72 win over the Omaha Mavericks on Saturday afternoon at Baxter Arena.
Denver (13-11, 5-6 SL) opened a 16-point second half lead and held on as Omaha (15-10, 7-4 SL) rallied to tie the game late. The Pioneers never trailed as they won back-to-back league games for the first time this season.
The Mavericks rallied from a 16-point second half deficit to tie the game at 68 after a jumper by Devin Patterson with 1:45 left in the game. DU called a timeout and coming out of the huddle freshman Thomas Neff (Arvada, Colo.) would knock down a huge 3-pointer to give the Crimson and Gold a 3-point advantage.
Patterson would cut the edge back to one with a layup. Denver executed once again after a timeout as Duke Douglas (New Orleans, La) was able to score inside on a layup. Patterson would once again score for the home team as he knocked down two free-throws. UNO would foul Mackey and the sophomore stepped to the line and drain both. In the final possession DU played solid team defense as Omaha’s desperation 3-pointer fell short.
“This is a team that is continuing to grow and develop,” head coach Joe Scott said. “Our competiveness is fueling it. It is good to see guys like Mackey, Neff and Duke Douglas step up and make the plays needed to win.”
Denver had five players score in double-digits for the second time this season. Marcus Byrd (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) scored 10 points, added a career-tying eight rebounds and three blocks, Nate Engesser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) scored 13 points, while Thomas Neff (Arvada, Colo.) chipped in 11 points and a career-best six rebounds. Bobbit rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points.
Bobbitt and Joe Rosga (St. Paul, Minn.) got Denver off to a fast start as they combined to score 10 of DU’s first 12 points to give the visitors a 12-9 edge. Omaha would tie the game at 14 after a Jake White 3-pointer, that was immediately answered by a Byrd shot from behind-the-arc.
Following Byrd’s 3-pointer, Denver would rattle off the next five points with an Engesser 3-ball and Mackey layup to open up a 22-14 lead. The Crimson and Gold would extend the lead to 11 points in part to crashing the offensive boards and getting to the basket. Douglas would cap the Denver run off with a two-handed dunk.
The home team would not go quietly as they went on an 8-2 run to get within five. Neff would knock down a 3-pointer that was answered on the other end by a Kyler Erickson deep ball.
The Crimson and Gold would take a 35-31 advantage into the locker room.
Denver shot 35.7 percent (10-of-28) from the floor, while Omaha hit for 42.3 percent (11-of-26) in the opening half of play. The Pioneers shot 36.4 percent (4-of-11) from behind the arc, while the Mavericks knocked down a hot 60.0 percent (3-of-5) clip from deep.
DU helped itself with 11 offensive rebounds compared to just four for UNO in the first 20 minutes . Bobbitt led Denver with nine points, while Byrd chipped in eight points and grabbed six rebounds. Mackey finished the first half with six points and four rebounds off the bench.
Bobbitt opened the second half just like the first half with the opening bucket. The teams would go back-and-forth for the first few minutes of the half as Devin Patterson would score UNO’s first six points of the second frame.
Denver finished the game shooting 42.9 percent (21-of-49), while Omaha finished shooting 41.1 percent (23-of-56). The Pioneers finished the game hitting 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from beyond the arc compared to 38.5 percent (5-of-13) for the Mavericks.
Omaha was led by Devin Patterson who scored 26 points. Tra-Deon Hollins had seven rebounds, six rebounds and seven steals.
Up Next: Denver returns home to take-on Western Illinois on Thursday, Feb. 11 with tip scheduled at 7 p.m. MT. The game can be heard on Mile High Sports Radio AM1340 with Raj Sharan on play-by-play duties. The game will also be streamed on Pioneer Vision via video and audio. For subscription information to Pioneer Vision please visit www.denverpioneers.com.
