Wyoming 71, Denver 61

Dec 18, 2012, 11:32 pm

LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Luke Martinez scored 25 points and Larry Nance Jr. 21, both career highs, to lead Wyoming over Denver 71-61 on Tuesday night.

Derrious Gilmore added 12 points for the Cowboys, who shot 65 percent from the floor and are off to an 11-0 start for the first time since 1987-88.

Martinez was 9 of 12 from the floor, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range, and Nance was 11 of 11 from the free throw line.

Chris Udofia had a season-high 26 points and Royce O'Neale 12 for Denver (3-6).

Wyoming never trailed but couldn't build a comfortable lead. A 13-point advantage shrunk to six in the final minutes, but Leonard Washington's layup and free throw left Wyoming up 69-60 with 1:03 remaining and blunted the Pioneers' last surge.

Gilmore's 3-pointer gave the Cowboys a 46-36 lead with 13:32 remaining, but Denver trimmed the lead to 48-43 after Cam Griffin dunked, then stole the ball and hit a free throw.

Wyoming built its largest margin at 60-47 after two free throws by Gilmore with 4:33 left.