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Denver's Defense Stops Montana's Late Rally 56-49

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Nov 19, 2009 10:20 pm US/Mountain

Denver's Defense Stops Montana's Late Rally 56-49

DENVER (AP) ―

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Nate Rohnert wore the scars of battle -- a cut over his left eye and bruises on both arms -- after Denver's game with Montana on Thursday night.

"It was a tough, physical game, the kind you expect from Montana," Rohnert said. "But we won."

Rohnert scored 20 points and sealed the win with two free throws in the last 11 seconds as Denver defeated previously unbeaten Montana 56-49.

"On this team, you have to do whatever it takes to win," Rohnert said. "You have to defend and make the right pass as well as score."

Rohnert was 6-for-13 shooting and 8-for-10 from the free throw line. He made other contributions besides scoring.

"Nate is good at what we're concentrating on," Denver coach Joe Scott said. "Sure, he scores 20 points, but he has six assists and only one turnover."

Chase Hallam had 14 for the Pioneers (2-1), and Andrew Hooper added 12.

Anthony Johnson led Montana (3-1) with 23 points. Brian Qvale had 10 of his 12 points in the second half.

The Grizzlies failed to get their first 4-0 start since opening the 1995-96 season 5-0.

"We played the way we were supposed to in the second half," Montana coach Wayne Tinkle said. "We've played against this Princeton style and not had any issues with it. We were just out of character in the first half."

Denver's 14-point halftime lead was reduced to 53-49 with 1:40 left after consecutive baskets by Johnson. The Grizzlies missed their next three shots.

Hooper made 1 of 2 free throws, and after Raason Young's shot was blocked, Rohnert sealed the win by hitting two free throws with 10.7 seconds left.

"We did a good job on defending," Scott said. "We made three straight stops at the end when it mattered."

Qvale's two layups after Travis Hallam's 3-pointer trimmed Montana's 14-point halftime deficit to 40-30 early in the second half. Johnson's layup and free throw got the Grizzlies even closer, 46-39, with 11:07 left.

Rohnert hit two free throws to keep it a seven-point game at 48-41, but Montana cut it to 48-45 with 4:07 left on Johnson's two free throws and a dunk by Qvale.

Rohnert's layup and Hooper's 3-pointer raised Denver's lead to 53-45. Montana stayed close, two baskets by Johnson cutting it to 53-49 with 1:40 left. The Grizzlies got the ball back three times, but Johnson misfired on two shots and Young missed the third.

Rohnert missed his first two shots but made 4 of 6 the first half and scored 11 points as Denver built a 36-22 lead by intermission. Johnson kept the Grizzlies close, hitting a short-range jumper to keep them within 19-16.

Hooper came off the bench to hit a pair of 3-pointers to trigger a 13-0 run, and the Pioneers extended their lead to 32-16. The Grizzlies were 10-for 20 shooting but struggled with seven turnovers in the first half, while Denver shot 56 percent and had one turnover.

"We missed a lay-in on one and drove and thought we drew some contact, but didn't get to the free throw line," Tinkle said. "Sure, we didn't pull it out, but we have to learn from this."