Feb. 1, 2003

Box Score

DENVER - Senior captain B.J. Pratt's (San Antonio, Texas) 14 points led four Pioneer double-figure scores, but it was not enough as the University of Denver men's basketball team fell to Louisiana-Lafayette 95-80 in Sun Belt Conference (SBC) action Saturday afternoon in Hamilton Gymnasium.

Denver's fourth consecutive loss drops them to 12-10 overall and 4-4 in the SBC, while Louisiana-Lafayette improves to 14-6 overall and 6-1in SBC play.

A layup by junior Carvell McAlister (Fresno, Calif.) with 12:12 remaining in the game pulled Denver to within five at 58-53. The Pioneers would get no closer as the Ragin' Cajuns went on a 27-10 run over the next 6 minutes and 25 seconds. A three-pointer by sophomore guard Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) sparked a 17-2 run by Denver as the Pioneers closed the gap to seven (87-80) with 43 seconds remaining. ULL made their free throws down the stretch and held on for the victory.

Led by Brad Boyd's 18 second half points, Louisiana-Lafayette shot 68 percent (15-of-22) from the field in the second frame including 6-of-12 from downtown. Antonie Landry add 13 points to the Ragin' Cajun cause, all in the second half.

ULL was able to open a seven-point lead twice in a first half that included nine ties. Louisiana-Lafayette was up 35-28 at the 4:17 mark of the first half. An old-fashion three-point play by sophomore guard Rodney Billups (Denver, Colo.) capped a 7-0 run by the Pioneers and tried the score at 35 with 2:33 left before halftime. The two teams traded baskets for the final two minutes as the Ragin' Cajuns took a 39-37 led into the second half.

Laurie Bridges led ULL with 14 first half points.

Junior center Brett Starkey (Lakewood, Colo.) contributed 11 points and nine rebounds. Senior center Steve Simmons (Salt Lake City) and McAlister each had 10 points.

Boyd and Bridges led all scores with 20. Chris Cameron had 11 for the Ragin' Cajuns.

Denver returns to action on Wednesday, February 5 when they travel to Bowling Green, Ky. to battle conference foe Western Kentucky in E.A. Diddle Arena. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. MT and can be heard live on AM 950 "The Fan" or over the internet at DenverPioneers.com.