SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) Nate Engesser made 6 of 10 from 3-point range and scored 18 points to help Denver beat host Santa Clara 55-33 Saturday night in the Cable Car Classic.
Engesser made three consecutive 3s as part of an 11-0 run midway through the first half that gave Denver (1-1) the lead for good.
KJ Feagin's basket with 11:20 left in the game pulled Santa Clara (0-2) within 34-29, but Engesser answered with a pair of 3s and the Broncos would get no closer.
Denver (1-1) shot 13 of 31 from long distance and Engesser was the only player on either team to reach double digits in scoring.
Nate Kratch and Jared Brownridge each tallied 7 points and seven rebounds to lead the Broncos, who shot 23 percent from the field.
Both teams return Sunday for the third and final day of the classic. Lipscomb plays Denver and Santa Clara hosts Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
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