The Clarion

Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: David Lorish Joe Jackson played a major role in the Denver wins against Troy and Louisiana Lafayette, putting Denver in first place in the Sunbelt Conference West. He scored a career high of 24 points against Troy on Thursday. [Click to enlarge]

The University of Denver men's basketball team is tied for first place in the Sun Belt Conference West after defeating Louisiana-Lafayette 63-44 last Sunday and Troy 80-66 last Thursday in Magness Arena. The Pioneers received double-digit efforts in scoring from five players during both wins.

Freshman forward Rob Lewis led the team with 12 points in Sunday's win. Junior guard Joe Jackson went for 11 points and sophomore forward Nate Rohnert, senior center Adam Tanner and freshman guard Xander McNally each went for 10 points.

"You know you're playing well when five guys are playing as a team, and that's what happened today," said Head Coach Joe Scott. "This team is getting better every day, and it's a great sign that they are getting better during meaningful games in February."

The first half see-sawed until the Pioneers scored six successful free throws to propel the team to a 17-10 lead with 5:56 left in the half. Tanner finished the first half for the Pioneers with a three pointer, which gave DU a 27-17 lead going into the second half.

Sunday's win was also Coach Scott's 100th career victory, having coached for Air Force and Princeton prior to the Pioneers.

Unlike Sunday's domination, Thursday's win over Troy was a soap opera.

All five DU starters scored in double digits. Rob Lewis led the team with his first career double-double, only this one can't be ordered at your local McDonald's. He scored 14 points as well as 14 rebounds, topped off with three blocks, which was also a career-high for Rob Lewis.

Jackson went for a career high 24 points, Rohnert also scored a career high with 19 points, Kyle Lewis went for 11, and Tanner scored 10.

Despite this, the Pioneers finished the first half trailing behind 34-25. DU caught up in the second half and then the game see-sawed, but not for very long.

It wasn't until there was less than seven minutes to play, did the Pioneers finally find their groove. At the 6:33 mark, Jackson made a three pointer to propel DU to a 57-56 lead. From there the team went crazy and scored 55 points in the second half.

"Everyone played really well in the second half," said Coach Scott. "They moved the ball and passed great. Each one of the guys was in on it. Tonight was a big win for us."

The Pioneers hit the road this weekend with a game on Thursday against North Texas and Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe.

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