Dec. 14, 2002

Box Score

DENVER - Sophomore guard Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half and senior captain B.J. Pratt (San Antonio, Texas) added 13 points as the University of Denver men's basketball team dealt Chicago State University its 22nd consecutive road loss, 76-49, in front of 1,038 fans Saturday at Magness Arena. The victory improves the Pioneers to 4-4, while the Cougars drop to 0-5.

Benzel was 6-of-13, including 4-of-8 on 3-pointers. Steve Turner led CSU with 20 points. Chicago State had 23 turnovers.

Benzel put Denver ahead 38-20 with two 3-pointers to start the second half. CSU's Derrick Wimmer's 3-pointer capped a 7-0 run to get the Cougars within 38-27 with 16:06 left.

Benzel hit another 3-pointer and sophomore point guard Rodney Billups (Denver, Colo.) hit a 3-pointer and two free throws over the next six minutes to give the Pioneers a 49-29 lead.

Turner sank four straight free throws to make it 51-37, but Chicago State never got closer. Denver outscored the Cougars 25-12 over the last eight minutes.

The Pioneers held CSU scoreless on its first 12 possessions and led 32-18 at the half.

A 12-0 run put Denver ahead 21-6. Pratt's layup off a steal and Benzel's second 3-pointer gave the Pioneers its biggest lead of the half, 26-9 with 6:15 left.

Denver will play the first of three games in three nights this Friday, December 20, in the first round of the San Juan Shootout. The Pioneers will face James Madison at 11 a.m. MST at the Coliseum Hector Sola Bazaras in Caguas, Puerto Rico.