Box Score Feb. 26, 2004
Box Score
MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Denver men's basketball was defeated by the University of South Alabama Jaguars, 73-54, on Thurs., Feb. 26, at the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Ala. The Pioneers second consecutive Sun Belt Conference loss drops them to 14-12 overall and 6-9 on the season. The Jaguars improve to 11-15, 5-9.
Sophomore center Yemi Nicholson (Denver, Colo.) was Denver's best player, recording a career-high tying 18 points, six rebounds, three blocks and an assist.
"It is just a total breakdown from the defensive end of the floor," said head coach Terry Carroll. "Compound that with our offensive, rebounding and turnover problems and you get a 19-point loss."
It was an inauspicious start for both offenses, with South Alabama holding an early 7-6 advantage off a free-throw line jumper by Chris Young at the 15:49 mark of the first half. The Jaguars extended their lead, but a 6-0 run capped-off by two Rodney Billups (Denver, Colo.) free throws made the score 14-12, with 12:42 remaining.
Denver kept pace with USA, staying within three points (21-18) off two charity tosses by junior guard Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) with 8:11 left in the half. An 11-1 burst by South Alabama put the Jags up 12, but a 3-point play and Nicholson and a 3-point bucket by Benzel closed the gap to 31-25 at the 3:55 mark of the first half. The Jaguars added two more points to the halftime margin, taking a 37-29 lead into the second half.
The second half began with a 10-2 USA run that made the score 47-31 with 15:18 left in the game. A Nicholson layup kept the deficit at 16 (49-33) with 12:37 remaining in the contest. Denver got as close as 13, but was unable to overcome the Jaguar pressure.
Young had 18 points for USA, who outshot the Pioneers 50.9 percent (28-55) to 34.5 percent (19-55) for Denver. The Pioneers were outrebounded (37-32) for the six-consecutive game.
The Pioneers will continue their two-game road trip on Saturday, Feb. 28 when they face New Orleans in the regular-season finale in New Orleans, La., at 6 p.m. MT. The game can be heard on KKFN AM 950 "The Fan" via tape delay at 9 p.m.
