College basketball: Denver routs Southern Utah University Thunderbirds

DENVER — Royce O'Neale and Cam Griffin scored 12 points apiece to help Denver beat Southern Utah 72-47 Friday.

O'Neale was 5 of 7 from the field, while Griffin was 3 of 5 and had four rebounds. Chase Hallam scored 11 points, and Brett Olson and Nate Engesser scored 10 points apiece.

Southern Utah had a one point lead early in the first half, but Denver (4-6) led 40-20 at halftime and never looked back. The Pioneers shot 55 percent from the field for the game, while the T-birds shot 40.8 percent.

"Denver is a good basketball team, they came out and played hard on their home court," SUU Coach Nick Robinson noted. "... They did a nice job of talking, of doing all the little things that allowed their team to get a lead, sustain the lead and extend the lead."

Jackson Stevenett led the Thunderbirds (3-7) with 12 points. Jayson Cheesman added 10 points and six rebounds. Wade Collie had nine points, all from 3-point range.