Feb. 20, 2003

Box Score

DENVER - Senior captain B.J. Pratt (San Antonio, Texas) scored 19 points and sophomore guard Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) added 12 as the Denver Pioneers routed South Alabama, 77-50, in Sun Belt Conference (SBC) action tonight at Magness Arena. Denver's second straight win improves its record to 14-13 overall and 6-7 in the SBC, while South Alabama falls to 11-13 overall and 5-8 in the SBC.

Pratt and Benzel grabbed the headlines, but it was Denver's bench that provided the needed spark for the Pioneers. The Jaguars jumped out to an early 13-6 lead, thanks to center Justin White who scored eight points. Denver's bench sparked a 10-2 run and junior forward Ziggy Zupic's (Sinj, Croatia) layup gave the Pioneers their first lead of the game at 14-13. Sophomore point guard Rodney Billups (Denver, Colo.), and seniors Steve Simmons (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Leslie Richardson (Aurora, Colo.) all contributed in the Pioneer rally. Pratt then got hot and scored 11 of the Pioneers next 23 points to stake Denver to a 37-27 lead at halftime. Pratt scored 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-3 from three-point country, in the first 20 minutes. Billups contributed 10 points off the bench and Zupic five, as Pioneer starters senior point guard Dusty Wadlington (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) junior forward Carvell McAlister (Fresno, Calif.) and Benzel were all held scoreless in the first half.

"The bench gave us a huge spark tonight," head coach Terry Carroll said. "Our guys know it's going to take a total team effort like this every night for us to be successful.

Denver scorched South Alabama by starting the second half with an 18-6 run. McAlister triggered the second half spurt with six points. Benzel nailed all three of his three-point shots as Denver stretched its lead to 75-35 late in the second half. All 12 Pioneers saw action in the contest, which was never close after intermission. Denver had 22 assists to South Alabama's nine. The Pioneers also outrebounded the Jaguars, 35-30, led by junior Brett Starkey's (Lakewood, Colo.) eight. The Pioneers also nailed 13-of-22 shots from downtown for a season-high 59 percent.

Denver returns to action this Sunday, February 23 when they host SBC foe and West Division rival New Orleans on Senior Day in Magness Arena. Tip-off for Denver's final home game of the season is set for 1 p.m. MT and can be heard live on AM 1600 or over the internet at DenverPioneers.com.