This game featured two similar teams, both struggling to define their identity and stack wins. The Eastern Washington Eagles were 1-6 and DU 2-5 heading into the game at Hamilton Gym on Wednesday night. The Eagles were led by Don Monson with 445 DI wins, 9 NIT’s, 4 NCAA Tournaments and 4 Coach of the Year honors. On paper, it looked like a coaching mismatch but Tim Bergstraser matched Monson and seized the win down the stretch, his third coaching victory of the young season.

Following the first five minutes of play, Denver trailed 11-10, against Eastern Washington. The Eagles gathered a quick 6 fouls as DU worked the ball inside. An Eagle run doubled up DU 20-10 in the following two minutes of play. Five points from Zane Nelson and a make from beyond the arc from Carson Johnson closed the gap at the midway mark, 22-21, Eagles. A Julius Rollins make knotted the game at 24. Shaun Wysocki gave DU a 35-33 lead with a pair of free throws with five minutes remaining. DU finished with a flourish as Logan Kinsey hit from downtown and Carson Johnson hit two charities, 48-43 DU at the break. The officiating crew, a familiar questionable trio, was allowing offensive elbows and pushing by each team on the offensive ends. Bergstraser continued to remind (i.e. work) the head official to protect his smaller roster.

The teams traded buckets early in the second half. DU maintained their margin, 67-61, at the second timeout. DU’s big, Gabe Oldham, picked up his 4th foul and the Eagles cut the DU lead to three. A pair of Carson Johnson free throws put Denver up 70-69 at the ten-minute mark. With the Eagles in the bonus, they went into the lead 77-76 with five minutes to go. A Jeremiah Burke bucket from distance regained the lead for DU, 85-84, with two minutes left. A pair of Zane Nelson charities put DU up 89-86 with a minute to go. Jeremiah Burke hit two free throws, 91-86, with 10 seconds left to ice the victory. Isaiah Moses hit a three with 4 seconds left and two Johnson’s free throws sealed the final score to 93-89.

The win had to be a personal boost to Bergstrasser and his staff to hold serve and win against Monson. Denver gave up 89 points as defense continues to be the Pioneers’ biggest Achilles heel going forward. Denver’s size will continue to be a season-long challenge while its offense continues to hum at nearly a 50% rate. Denver had five players in double figures, led by Jeremiah Burke with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Denver is hitting the softest part of their nonconference schedule. Seven nonconference games remain with a chance to crack .500 between now and the start of Summit League play, the 31st of this month against UMKC.