MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois dropped a Summit League contest to the Denver Pioneers Saturday evening (Jan. 25), 67-55, inside Western Hall.

The Leathernecks committed 19 turnovers in the defeat, and were led by freshman guard Garret Covington who scored team-best 12 points.

"Give Denver credit, they had lost three in a row and I told the team that. (Denver) was picked second in our league, and (heading into tonight's game) they had won their last two and had really picked it up. I told our team they better be ready for that," said head coach Jim Molinari.

The contest was a back-and-forth affair to begin, with three ties and four lead changes in the opening seven minutes of action. Denver then used a 6-0 to take the lead and never surrendered it. 

"Energy is what ignites everything and we didn't play hard and we didn't play with energy," continued Molinari. "That's what you get when you don't do that. To me, that's the biggest factor. But they're an experienced team, give them credit."

To go along with the Leathernecks' 19 turnovers, WIU only had seven assists on its 15 made field goals. Denver was able to accumulate 15 helpers and only committ nine turnovers. The Pioneers also had 11 steals to Western's four.

DU shot better from the field (48.8% - 41.7%), from beyond the arc (40% - 33.3%), and the free throw line (80.8% - 66.7%).

Senior center Michael Ochereobia scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds. He was one of four Leathernecks to pull down five boards (Covington, Tate Stensgaard, Adam Link).

The Pioneers were led by Chris Udofia who tallied 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting, and connecting on 7-of-9 attempts from the charity stripe. Udofia also had a game-high five assists and two blocks.

WIU hits the road next week for games at IUPUI Thursday (Jan. 30) and Fort Wayne Saturday (Feb. 1).