Jan. 19, 2003

Box Score

DENVER - Senior captain B.J. Pratt (San Antonio, Texas) scored 17 points and junior center Brett Starkey (Lakewood, Colo.) added 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Denver Pioneers to an 72-55 win over Arkansas - Little Rock in Sun Belt Conference (SBC) play this afternoon in Magness Arena.

Denver improves to 12-6 overall and 4-0 in the SBC, while Arkansas - Little Rock falls to 11-7 overall and 2-2 in SBC play.

"I am very proud of this team today, every guy on the floor put fourth the effort that is required to be successful and win," head coach Terry Carroll said. "We cannot take a night off in this league. We are playing well and we'll see if we can pull out a few more wins before the year is through."

Denver contested every UALR shot while allowing a season low 17 points in the first half on 7-of-27 (26 percent) shooting by the Trojans. The Pioneers got out of the gate quick, opening up a six-point lead (11-5) at the 13:45 mark of the first half. Denver's defense and hot shooting kept the Trojans at bay as the Pioneers upped their lead to 11 (16-5) with 11:18 remaining in the half.

UALR scored the next four points to close within 16-9 with 7:26 left to play, but the Pioneers exploded during the next four minutes, going on an 11-2 run and pushing the lead back to 14. Denver continued to pressure Arkansas - Little Rock closing the first half strong and going in the locker room with a 17 point advantage (34-17).

The Pioneers pressure did not let up in the second half as they enlarged their lead to 21 (42-21) on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Erik Benzel (Spokane Wash.) at the 15:47 mark. The score was 50-23 (10:10) when UALR went on a 14-2 run, cutting Denver's lead in half with 5:40 remaining in the contest. The Pioneers made their free throw down and took care of the basketball down the stretch, holding off the Trojans for their fourth straight win.

Junior forward Ziggy Zupic (Sinj, Croatia) and added 10 points and Benzel had 11 for Denver, which shot 23-of-57 from the floor. Starkey, the reigning SBC Player of the Week, recorded his eighth double-double of the year as Denver outrebounded Arkansas - Little Rock 45-25.

Jibrahan Ike led all Arkansas - Little Rock with a game-high 22 points, Mark Green added 12.

Denver returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 23 when they travel to conference foe South Alabama for the first game of a two-game road swing. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m MT.