Feb. 7, 2002

Box Score

DENVER - Senior forward Sherman Rochell (Oklahoma City, Okla. / Northern Oklahoma College) led four Pioneers in double-figure scoring as the University of Denver men's basketball team won its second straight game with a 76-58 domination of South Alabama at Magness Arena on Thursday night.

With the win, the Pioneers (7-15, 2-8 Sun Belt) move out of the West Division cellar for the first time in a month by passing USA, and also prevented the Jaguars (6-16, 2-9) from getting their first road win.

Rochell had 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Junior guard B.J. Pratt (San Antonio, Texas / Converse Judson HS) added 19 points without a turnover - his third errorless game of the season.

For the second straight game, the Pioneers dished out 20 assists as a team, and turned the ball over just eight times. Junior guard Leslie Richardson II (Aurora, Colo. / Overland HS / Lamar CC) tied Rochell with five assists, and also added a Denver career-high 13 points with no turnovers. Senior forward Wahhab Carter (El Reno, Okla. / El Reno HS) capped the double-figure scorers with 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Pioneers hit 7 of their first 10 shots on the night within the first 9 minutes, 10 seconds. A 3-pointer by Pratt boosted the lead to 30-19 with 7:15 left in the first half, and seconds later, Richardson stole the ball and passed upcourt to freshman Taylor Lay (Oklahoma City, Okla. / Southeast HS), who fed Rochell with an easy layup. Denver went into the locker room with a 40-28 lead, its largest cushion at the intermission of the season for the second straight game.

South Alabama went on a 13-6 run to start the second half, aided by 4-of-7 shooting from the field. The Jags continued their shooting streak through the 9-minute mark, outshooting the Pioneers 50-31 percent to pull within five (50-45). But a pair of Pratt 3-pointers sandwiched around a layup from Rochell, followed by a Richardson layup pushed the margin to 60-45, giving the Pioneers all the points they would need to win with 5:34 left in the game.

"The guys did a great job with the ball tonight. To have just eight turnovers is something to be very proud of," said head coach Terry Carroll. "They looked for the open teammate and got good looks at the basket, which gave them the confidence to take good, high-percentage shots. South Alabama did a great job of taking it back to us in the second half, but our guys stayed together and didn't let that affect the outcome of the game.

"We have to approach every game the same. We have a small margin for error every game. We need 40 minutes together, playing very smart. We did that tonight."

The Pioneers conclude their three-game homestand on Sunday with a Sun Belt Conference matchup vs. New Orleans. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. at Magness Arena.