DENVER – We've seen Laolu Oke, Rebounding Machine.
 
Now we have Laolu Oke, Low-Post Force. … And Rebounding Machine.
 
Oke, third in NCAA Division II in rebounding last year at 12.2 per game (including a nation-leading 5.5 offensive boards per game), showed off his developing low-post game in Saturday's season-opening 78-62 victory over Oklahoma Christian.
 
He scored a career-high 23 points while making 10 of 16 from the field. And he pulled down 18 rebounds, matching the second-highest total of his career.
 
"He just works so hard on his game, and now people can see that if you're going to single him up in the post, he's going to be really good," MSU Denver coach Michael Bahl said.
 
Said Oke: "This offseason we've made it a point for me to be a presence inside, not just getting offensive rebounds and putting them up, but actually being able to get the ball in the post and make a move. We work on it every day in practice, and I think it showed today."
 
Bahl said prior to the season that he figured Oke's days of high-rebound totals were probably over as the 6-foot-8 third-season sophomore would undoubtedly be Priority One on opponents' scouting reports.
 
But Oke just had other plans.
 
"I've never played with anybody who had 18 rebounds," said Roadrunners newcomer Ra'Shawn Langston, eyes wide and with awe in his voice. "I've never played with anybody who is just so ready to go get rebounds. He's built on rebounds. It's exciting to watch."
 
Oke had plenty of help from the new-look Roadrunners, who won their season opener for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
 
Langston scored 20 points in his Roadrunners' debut, and another Division I transfer, wing Miles Gibson scored 11.
 
Point guard Keyshaad Dixon also scored 11, making 4 of 5 from the field and handing out six assists against just one turnover.
 
Langston, a 6-3 guard with a reputation as a scorer, showed reports are accurate.
 
"We knew when we recruited Ra'Shawn that he's a guy who could put the ball in the hole," Bahl said. "He's done a great job buying in to the team stuff and the locker room stuff – that's probably the best part about him. His teammates love him. He's just a really good basketball player who has been at a high level for a long time, and he has a chip on his shoulder."
 
Said Oke: "I love 'Booda.' He's a great guy, and he plays with energy and intensity on the offensive end and the defensive end. He's a great pickup for us."
 
MSU Denver led by double digits for much of the second half and built the advantage to 16, but Oklahoma Christian chipped away and got within 61-55 with 4:28 left. But the Roadrunners responded with a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach.
 
MSU Denver hung its hat on its defense, holding the Eagles to 37.7 percent from the field, including 25.0 percent (4 for 16) from 3-point range. Oklahoma Christian had 15 turnovers to just seven for the Roadrunners.
 
"I thought our energy was really good and we played extremely hard," Bahl said. "You're going to have some ups and downs in your first game, when the lights are on for real for the first time. But I thought the guys handled it really well."