Feb. 28, 2004

Box Score

NEW ORLEANS - Sophomore center Yemi Nicholson (Denver, Colo.) poured in a career-high 21 points as the University of Denver men's basketball lost a double overtime heartbreaker to the University of New Orleans, 74-73, on Sat., Feb. 28, at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, La. With their third consecutive loss the Pioneers' record drops to 14-13 overall and 6-9 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Privateers improve to 15-13, 9-6.

"What an unbelievable effort by our guys tonight. They did everything we asked them to do, but maybe it just wasn't meant to be," said Denver Head Coach Terry Carroll. "It hurts that we might not be in the tournament, because I would like our chances if we got the same effort that we got tonight."

An early 6-0 run by Denver, capped off by a Zeljko Zupic (Sinj, Croatia) breakaway layup gave the Pioneers a 6-2 lead with 17:37 remaining in the first half. Another Pioneer run (10-0) including a 15-footer by sophomore center Yemi Nicholson (Denver, Colo.) extended Denver's lead to 16-4 at the 12:24 mark. A tomahawk dunk by Nicholson with 7:18 left capped another 10-3 Pioneer run, making the score 26-7.

New Orleans began to narrow the margin, but a layup by senior center Brett Starkey (Lakewood, Colo.) put Denver up, 31-15, with 3:33 remaining. A 10-2 Privateer run ended the half, closing the margin to 33-25 with 20 minutes to play.

The Pioneers' energy level remained high as a fast-break layup by junior point guard Rodney Billups (Denver, Colo.) pushed the Pioneers' lead to 42-32 with 16:06 left in the game. Denver added another point to its lead off a free throw by junior forward Carvell McAlister (Fresno, Calif.), making the score 47-37 at the 11:44 mark. Eight consecutive points by UNO's Bo McCalebb pulled UNO to within 51-47 with just 8:01 left to play.

The Privateers were finally able to overcome Denver, taking a 60-59 lead off an A.J. Meredith layup with 3:09 remaining. Both teams traded baskets for the final three minutes, ending in a 62-62 tie. The Pioneers build a six-point lead, but UNO hit two consecutive 3-pointers to tie the score 69-69 at the end of the first overtime. Denver built a two-point lead in the second overtime, only to see it disappear on a 3-point basket by Kyle Buggs.

Sophomore guard Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) added 18 and McAlister 11 for Denver, who shot 43.5 percent (27-62). Buggs led UNO with 17 points. McCalebb added 16 and Nathaniel Parker 14 for the Privateers who shot 39.1 percent (25-64). UNO won the rebounding battle, 43-40, lead by seven from Parker and Billy McDade. McAlister and Nicholson both had seven for Denver.

The Pioneers will sit back and watch the scoreboard to see if they get an opportunity to compete in next week's SBC Tournament. Denver's season is over unless North Texas defeats South Alabama tomorrow.