MBB Tops Denver, 54-44

DENVER (AP) - Marcus Hall scored 18 points and Richard Roby added 15 to lead Colorado to a 54-44 victory over Denver on Tuesday night.

Hall had two 3-pointers and 6-for-7 from the free throw line and tied his career record in steals, with five. Roby took only 11 shots in scoring his 15 for Colorado (4-2).

The Buffaloes have won the last six meetings between the two teams.

David Kummer led Denver (2-3) with 15 points.

In a game where scoring was at a premium, Hall and Roby combined for 18 points as Colorado built a 25-17 lead at the half. The Buffaloes shot 40 percent from the field and turned the ball over eight times against a variety of Denver zones.

Denver managed only 6-of-19 shots and 10 turnovers in its lowest scoring half of the season. Kummer gave the Pioneers their only lead of the half, game, 7-6, hitting the second of two, 3-pointers, early in the game.

Hall erased that quickly with a pullup jumper and a 3-pointer of his own as part of a 8-2 run to put Colorado ahead 14-9. Roby connected on a pair of jumpers in the last 4:33 to provide the Buffaloes with an eight-point edge at the break.

Denver cut its halftime deficit in half, 31-27, on a 3-pointer by Kyle Lewis with 12:41 left in the second half. Roby's tip made 33-27 before a four-minute scoring drought ended by two free throws by Cory Higgins put Colorado up 35-27.

Xander McNally snapped a nearly five-minute scoreless stretch for Denver, but they still trailed 35-29. Tyler Bullock's five straight points got the Pioneers to within 40-35 with 5:38 left.

Denver missed its next five shots while Colorado was getting baskets by Hall and Xavier Silas to push CU's lead to 44-35. The Buffaloes sealed the win with two free throws each from Hall and Higgins.

After six games this season, Colorado reached a trio of team highs in rebounding (35), offensive rebounds (13) and steals (11).

Denver's 44 points were the fewest allowed by a CU team since a 71-44 win over Tennessee State on Dec. 19, 2003.

Colorado will stay on the road to take on the United States Air Force Academy on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., in a game that will be broadcast on The Mountain.