DENVER, Colo. --- The Anteaters got a thorough team effort to bring home the season's first win Sunday evening in Magness Arena downing Denver, 83-69.

UCI (1-1) tied things up at 14-14 with 8:44 remaining in the first half before turning the jets on for a 16-2 run down the latter half of the period. The 'Eaters led by as many as 14 points in the half before settling into a 35-25 halftime advantage with Eyassu Worku and Evan Leonard leading the way with eight points each.

Denver (0-1) perked up to start the second half closing the gap to seven points forcing an early timeout just 1:18 into the second half, but it made the difference busting out for another 11-2 run and essentially putting the game in the 'Eaters' hands.

The 'Eaters never let the lead get back to single digits the rest of the game even building it up to its highest at 23 points with 4:20 left in the game before finishing off the 83-69 final.

Evan Leonard dropped in 19 points to lead all scorers and set a new career high eclipsing the 11 he put home in a game as a freshman.

"I just have to give all of the credit to my teammates putting me in the best spot to execute."

His teammates reaped the benefits as four other Anteaters joined him scoring at least 10 points followed by Eyassu Worku with 12 points in his second consecutive contest and 10 each from John Edgar Jr., Tommy Rutherford, and Justin Wertner to give UCI its first game with five double-digit scorers since January of 2016.

Rutherford finished with a double-double, the second of his career, with 10 points and 11 rebounds approaching career highs in each. Wertner's 10 points marked his first career game in double figures.

The team effort continued on the defensive end with eight blocks between five different 'Eaters, and they forced 14 turnovers on 10 steals behind four from Leonard and three from Worku.

"I think that needs to become our identity," noted head coach Russell Turner about the contributions by the entire team in the win. The game even saw a season debut from Max Hazzard who put home four points and two steals in 17 minutes after sitting out the opener with an injury. Riley Welch and Teo Davidian each made their collegiate debuts with Welch scoring five points in eight minutes in front of a hoard of friends and family in the building. Davidian made an appearance after years of being a team manager and walk-on.

The team came together to stunt the Denver offense to shooting 33.3% and hitting just five three-pointers. Daniel Amigo scoring 13 and grabbed 10 rebounds in the losing effort, and Joe Rosga led all Pioneers with 15 points getting eight of them from the free throw line.

Next up is the home opener for the Anteaters on Tuesday, Nov. 14 with a 7:00 p.m. start against Chapman.