DENVER--The Denver Pioneers shot 64.3 percent in the first half and forced 18 North Dakota State turnovers in the game to take a 79-62 win over the Bison in men's college basketball Sunday, Nov. 21, before a crowd of 1,162 at Hamilton Gymnasium.

Denver guards Rodney Billups and and Erik Benzel scored 10 and 11 points, respectively in the opening half as the Pioneers took a 42-24 lead at intermission.  Billups finished 7 of 13 for 14 points and Benzel finished 6 of 11 includuing 4-for-7 from three-point range for 16 points.

North Dakota State guard Phil Hahn scored a game-high 17 points.  He was 3-for-4 from three-point range.

Denver scored the first six points of the game and never trailed.  The Pioneers (1-0) led by as many as 24 points on two occassions midway through the second half.

NDSU's 18 turnovers resulted in 26 points for DU.  The Bison had a 39-31 rebounding advantage.

Myron Green chipped in 16 points for the Herd on 6-of-15 shooting.  David Erbes had a game-high 10 rebounds.

North Dakota State (0-2) is scheduled to play Northern State (S.D.) on Friday, Nov. 26, in the U.S. Bancorp Classic at Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall.  Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.