Feb. 23, 2003

Box Score

DENVER - Senior captain B.J. Pratt (San Antonio, Texas) scored a game-high 26 points and senior guard Leslie Richardson (Aurora, Colo.) added a career-high 14 as the Denver Pioneers downed New Orleans, 68-63, in Sun Belt Conference action on February 23 at Magness Arena in Denver's final home game of the season. The Pioneers' third straight win improves their record to 15-13 overall and 7-7 in the SBC, while New Orleans falls to 14-12 overall and 7-7 in the SBC.

"It was great to see a total team effort," head coach Terry Carroll said. "The seniors played well in their final home game. Hopefully that effort and confidence will carryover to Thursday night at New Mexico State."

The Privateers had their biggest lead early in the contest, scoring the game's first five points. Denver responded and a layup by senior point guard Dusty Wadlington (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) gave Denver an early 10-7 advantage at the 15:01 mark. A Pratt three-pointer at 11:20 increased the margin to four (15-11).

Another three-pointer, this time from Richardson, put the Pioneers ahead 27-18 with 7:03 remaining in the half. Denver opened up its biggest lead of the afternoon (11), but two made free throws by UNO's Nerijus Lisauskas cut the score to 31-22 with 2:29 left. New Orleans scored the next six points cutting the halftime margin to three, 31-28.

The Pioneers got out of the gate quick pushing the lead to nine, but a layup by Kentrell Martin slimmed it back down to seven (43-36) four minutes into the second half. The Privateers continued to battle back and two free throws by Johnell Smith made the score 45-44 at the 12:49 mark.

A three-point basket by Justin Lauga gave UNO its largest second half lead of two (51-49) with 8:15 remaining. Denver reacted and a free throw by junior center Brett Starkey (Lakewood, Colo.) put the Pioneers up 62-60 with 2:01 left to play. Denver took care of the basketball and two free throws by Pratt with four seconds on the clock sealed the victory.

Wadlington contributed 11 points and a game-high six assists. Denver had 19 assists and only eight turnovers. New Orleans finished with 13 assists and 14 turnovers.

Smith led the Privateers with 17 points, Lauga had 12.

Denver plays its final regular season game of the year on Thursday, February 27 when the Pioneers travel to Las Cruces, N.M to face SBC foe and West Division rival New Mexico State in the Pan American Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. MT and can be heard live on AM 1600 or over the internet at DenverPioneers.com.