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STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Daejon Davis just completed his first quarter of college, finishing several projects and essays. He still found the energy to play one of his best games of the season.
Reid Travis and Davis each scored 20 points and Stanford beat Denver 75-62 on Friday night.
"With the long stretch off, coach really held us accountable on everything," Davis said. "The level of focus on the little things helped us."
Isaac White had 17 points for the Cardinal (5-6), who have won two of three following a four-game losing streak. Michael Humphrey added 11 points and nine rebounds.
"Being under .500 is not acceptable," White said. "That's not up to our standards. To make the NCAA tournament, you can't lose games."
For Davis, who also had five rebounds and five assists, it was a season-high in points.
"We got a win. That was the No. 1 thing," Stanford coach Jarod Haase said. "We were a bit more organized on the offensive end."
Daniel Amigo scored 18 points to lead the Pioneers (5-7), who have lost four straight away from home and eight straight in their series with the Cardinal. Jake Pemberton added 13 points and Joe Bosga had 12.
"Davis got hot. We didn't anticipate him making so many shots," Denver coach Rodney Billups said. "If you look at his season stats from behind the arc, we would have bet that he would not make so many tonight. But good players make plays."
Bosga has reached double figures in scoring in all but one game this season.
Pemberton hit a layup with 9:50 remaining to play to pull the Pioneers within three at 56-53.
"Overall, I liked our effort, our energy, especially in the second half," Billups said. "We have to take care of the ball better. Stanford is not a huge pressure team; that's why 20 turnovers are entirely too much."
White hit a 3-pointer with 7:27 left to give the Cardinal a 10-point advantage and the game remained competitive throughout.
Stanford led by as many as 16 in the first half before the Pioneers rallied to close within 37-28 by halftime.
THE BIG PICTURE
Denver: The Pioneers are still looking for their first road win of the season. ... Denver holds its opponents to 31.1 percent from beyond the 3-point line, tops in the Summit League. ... The Pioneers average seven 3-pointers a game.
Stanford: The Cardinal is one of two teams with an overall losing record in the Pac-12. Stanford has two games remaining before the conference season opens, including No. 13 Kansas. California (4-6) has three games remaining. The teams open conference play against each other on Dec. 30. ... Stanford continues to play without starters Dorian Pickens and Marcus Sheffield, each out with a foot injury.
IN HER MEMORY
Daejon Davis learned two days before the game that one of his best friends in Seattle had been killed in a car accident. "This game was for her." He played 37 minutes, scored a season best in points and recorded a season best in steals, with five. "Daejon played a heck of a game," Stanford coach Jarod Haase said. "Especially from a leadership standpoint where he was getting us on the same page. For him to have that focus and to maintain composure was special."
UP NEXT
Denver: Travels to Montana State on Monday night.
Stanford: Hosts San Francisco on Sunday.
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