Feb. 27, 2003

Box Score

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Sun Belt Conference Player of Year candidate, junior Brett Starkey (Lakewood, Colo.) scored 21 points and a game-high 16 rebounds and senior captain B.J. Pratt (San Antonio, Texas) added 22, but it was not enough as the Denver Pioneers fell to New Mexico State, 87-76 in Sun Belt Conference (SBC) action on February 27 at the Pan American Center in Denver's final regular season game of the season. The loss ends the Pioneers' three-game winning streak and drops their record to 15-14 overall and 7-8 in the SBC, while New Mexico State improved to 18-8 overall and 8-6 in the SBC.

"It was a tough loss for our guys," said Denver coach Terry Carroll. "We learned a lot from this contest and maybe we can be on the winning end of these close games in the near future."

Denver got out of the gate very quickly as seven points by Starkey in the first five minutes gave the Pioneers an early 10-4 lead. Denver missed some early opportunities to expand the lead, but a swooping layup by senior point guard Dusty Wadlington (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) kept the lead at five (14-9) at the 11:30 mark of the first half.

New Mexico State took its first lead and two free throws by Early Calloway made the score 21-18 with 7:41 left. The two teams traded blows over the next five minutes as a three-pointer by Wadlington cut the margin back to one at 30-29 with only 1:49 remaining. Denver moved back in front and a 17-foot jumper by Pratt as time expired put the Pioneers up four, 35-35.

The Aggies scored the first four points of the half but Denver responded and a layup by Starkey made the score 47-40 just five-? minuets in the second frame. NMSU went on a 10-4 run, taking the lead, but a put back by junior forward Ziggy Zupic (Sinj, Croatia) put the Pioneers back in front 51-50 with 11:00 left to play in the game.

Denver continued shorting the game, staying ahead by one on a dunk by senior center Steve Simmons (Salt Lake City, Utah) with just 5:47 remaining in the contest. The Pioneers remained in front by two (62-60) with only 3:10 left on the clock. The game was all tied at 68-68 with 30 seconds left and New Mexico State with the ball. A turnover gave the ball back to Denver with four seconds remaining, but a Pratt jumper from the corner fell short sending the game into overtime.

As overtime began the Pioneers cooled off and hot free throw shooting (15-of-16) by New Mexico State ended Denver's night.

Zupic contributed 15 points and nine rebounds as the Pioneers out-rebounded NMSU 44-36.

James Moore had a game-high 29, Kevin Crooks added 13, Brandon Mason poured in 11 and Chris Jackson and Jason Fontenet dropped in 10 apiece for the Aggies.

Denver will either finish fourth or fifth in the West Division. The Pioneers; fate won't be determined until Saturday night. If New Orleans defeats South Alabama Denver is the fourth seed in next week's SBC Tournament. If South Alabama wins, the Pioneers are the fifth seed. All SBC Tournament games can be heard live on either AM 950 "The Fan" or AM 1600 and over the internet at DenverPioneers.com.