CHENEY, Wash. (AP)_ Erik Benzel scored a career-high 30 points Saturday night, sparking Denver to an 80-61 basketball victory over Eastern Washington in nonconference basketball.
Benzel, a guard from nearby Spokane, scored 20 during a dominating first half that saw the Pioneers (5-3) open a 42-29 lead over the Eagles (2-7.)
Eastern Washington, which had lost five games in a row, continued to struggle in the second half. In their previous three games, the Eagles had been outscored 27-0 in the opening minutes after halftime. Against the Pioneers, they were outscored 9-0 over a span of nearly three minutes.
Benzel was 6 of 9 from 3-point range for Denver. The Pioneers also got 22 points from Yemi Nicholson and 13 from Brett Seger.
The Eagles were paced by Marc Axtons 15 points and Paul Butoracs 12.
Eastern Washington played its second straight game without starting center Matt Nelson, who is out with a broken hand.
