2008 Woodie Awards
Sensational Start
Bears batter Pioneers in home opener
Jordan Freemyer
Issue date: 11/19/07 Section: Sports
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"It definitely feels good to get a win over an in-state team and get bragging rights," Bears junior forward Jabril Banks said after the win on Saturday.
Banks led the Bears in scoring with 19 points, including a thunderous slam dunk late in the game, which sent the crowd to its feet, on 7-9 shooting. He also grabbed four rebounds.
"When you get the crowd going, it's like a sixth person out there," Banks said.
Sophomore forward Jefferson Mason added 12 points for the Bears, and said the large crowd of 1,106 inspired the team and made the game more fun to play.
"We see that people are here and we want to come out and play 10 times better," Mason said. "It's 110 percent more fun."
Bears head coach Tad Boyle said he was pleased with the way his team played in front of a large home crowd.
"I think we gave the crowd their money's worth tonight, but we need to do that every night, not just against Denver University," Boyle said.
The Bears' defense stifled the Pioneers all night, allowing just 38 shot attempts and forcing 18 turnovers.
"I think the press really wore them down tonight," Boyle said. "It wasn't as effective as far as getting steals, but it took their legs away from them."
Boyle also said the team is beginning to understand what he wants from them on the defensive end.
"Tonight we got it for about 38 minutes," Boyle said.
The Bears also said the press was especially effective because of the style of game that DU wanted to play.
"They want to run a half court, slow it down offense and take 30 seconds off the clock and get a good shot," Bears sophomore guard Will Figures said.
Figures had 14 points on the night for the Bears and made four of his five 3-point attempts.
"If you can attack inside with your bigs and get good points, the defense will collapse," Figures said. "That creates open shots for your guards."
The Bears will now take a Thanksgiving break before returning to Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion on Nov. 27 against Division II Johnson & Wales.
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