Griffin leads Denver past Western Illinois 68-54

DENVER (AP) Cam Griffin scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Denver to a 68-54 win over Western Illinois on Wednesday night.

Jalen Love tallied 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting for the Pioneers (8-10, 2-3 Summit). Nate Engesser had a career-high six assists. Denver shot 56.5 percent from the field, despite going just 3 of 13 (23.1 percent) from beyond the 3-point line, to end a three game losing skid.

Garret Covington hit two 3s and had 18 points, five rebounds and five steals for the Leathernecks (7-9, 2-3). Jamie Batish had nine points, all coming from behind the 3-point line. Western Illinois shot just 34.9 percent from the field.

After Jamie Batish hit a 3-pointer to give Western Illinois a one-point lead in the opening moments of the second half, Denver scored 27 of the next 41 points to take a 12-point lead.