Dec. 6, 2003

Box Score

Senior Zeljko Zupic (Sinj, Croatia) recorded his first double-double of the season to lead the University of Denver men's basketball team to a win over Southern Utah 66-53, on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Hamilton Gymnasium. The Pioneers improve to 3-2, and the Thunderbirds fall to 2-3.

Zupic started the Pioneers off strong, scoring the first basket of the afternoon, followed by a layup from Denver's leading scorer senior Brett Starkey (Lakewood, Colo.). Denver took control of the game from the start and shot 57 percent for the half.

With 2:58 left in the first half, the Pioneers went on a 12-2 run with two 3-point baskets from junior Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.). His last basket gave Denver its biggest lead of the afternoon, 17 points.

The Pioneer defense forced Southern Utah to commit seven turnovers, compared to Denver's three. Starkey had three steals to lead the Pioneers 38-26 at the half.

SUU's David Palmer kept the Thunderbirds in the game, scoring 33 points on the afternoon but his offensive efforts were not enough. The Pioneers capped the afternoon with a 6-0 run, with 2:45 remaining in the game. SUU attempted a come-back but could only come within nine points of Denver.

Benzel lead the Pioneers in scoring with 17 points and Zupic led the team in rebounds with 12. SUU's Palmer led all scorers with 33 points, including seven 3-point baskets.

"This was a total team effort today," head coach Terry Carroll said. "We had 15 assists, which shows our unselfishness. This was a great team win in the fact that we practiced hard the last two weeks and were able to come home and refocus. The crowd played a huge part in the emotion of the game."

The Pioneers will continue non-conference action when they travel to Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 10 to face UMKC. Last year Denver defeated UMKC 83-66.

Before today's game Terry Carroll and his staff conducted a clinic for 250 boy scouts in Hamilton Gymnasium. Carroll gave comments on the importance of academics and teamwork and then instructed the children on basic ball handling and shooting skills.