Nov 26, 2001

Box Score

DENVER (AP) - It took hard work on defense for Donta Richardson to earn a chance to show off his skills at both ends of the court.

The hard work paid off and Richardson proved himself Monday night, scoring 19 points and sealing the game with two free throws in the final two seconds as Wyoming beat Denver 71-68.

"I told Donta that for him to get playing time he would have to show improvement on the defensive end," Wyoming coach Steve McClain said. "We had plenty of players on the bench that could score, but what we needed from him was his defense."

Richardson, 7-for-10 shooting, also drew a key charging foul with 1:37 to go when Wyoming (3-1) was clinging to a three-point lead. No other Wyoming starter reached double-figure scoring in beating Denver (1-2) for the 16th time in 17 meetings.

"I have learned that the more I get in an opponent's face, the more I will get a chance to score," said Richardson, who played high school basketball in Colorado Springs. "I made some plays on defense and the scoring chances followed."

B.J. Pratt led Denver with 24 points, 16 in the second half. Wahhab Carter added 12 points.

"B.J. gave us so much," Denver coach Terry Carroll said. "What we didn't get was consistent play from the team. We made the critical turnover or a defensive mistake when we couldn't afford them."

Marcus Bailey gave Wyoming a 47-37 lead with a jump shot, but Pratt scored eight points and Erik Benzel finished a 19-8 run with a 3-pointer for Denver with 6:05 left to cut the lead to 58-56.

Josh Davis hit only his fourth shot of the game and Wyoming was able convert only two free throws over the next three minutes while Pratt hit a 3-pointer and two free throws to keep Denver within striking distance at 63-61.

Sherman Rochell gave Denver its only lead of the second half, 64-63, with a baseline drive and layup with 2:51 left. Richardson's two free throws gave Wyoming the lead again, 65-64.

After a short jumper by Josh Davis, Richardson drew a charging foul and hit an off balance jumper with 1:17 left to extend the lead to 69-64.

Brett Starkey had a layup with 4.9 seconds left after a basket by Carter to get Denver within 69-68, but Richardson converted both free throws to seal the win.

"Those free throws were big for me," Richardson said. "After the way I played the other night against Eastern Kentucky, I needed this type of game to get back the confidence from my teammates."

Wyoming started the game with a 6-for-20 start and with Bailey and Davis in foul trouble, Wyoming turned to its bench to lead 33-27 at halftime. Paris Cormer had seven points and Brandon Dickerson five points to offset eight points from Pratt.

"This was huge for us and for Richardson, who got a chance to play close to home," McClain said. "Most players do better when they to go home."