Jan. 15, 2005

Final Stats

MIAMI - Senior guard Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) tallied 20 points as the University of Denver men's basketball team defeated Florida International, 63-50, tonight in Sun Belt Conference play at Pharmed Arena. Denver's third consecutive win improves the Pioneers to 8-6 overall and 3-0 in the SBC. FIU drops to 7-9, 0-3.

"What a tremendous effort tonight by our basketball team," said head coach Terry Carroll. "Tonight was a testament to what type of defense we can play. We held them to 18 first-half points."

The Pioneers opened the game with a 10-0 run, holding FIU without a point until Sheldon Bailey hit a 3-pointer at the 11:18 mark of the first half. A jumper by junior guard Andrew Carpenter (Toronto, Ontario) ended an 8-0 run by the Golden Panthers, keeping Denver up, 12-8, with 7:57 left in the half.

Consecutive 3-pointers by guards Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) and Brett Seger (Omaha, Neb.) sparked the Pioneers to a 24-14 lead with 3:42 remaining in the first stanza. Both squads scored four more points, with Denver taking a 28-18 lead into the intermission.

Junior center Yemi Nicholson (Aurora, Colo.) tallied 10 points, with the Pioneers making 43.5 (10-of-23) percent of their shots. The Golden Panthers were only 7-of-33 (.212) from the field. FIU did win the rebounding battle, 25-17, including 14 offensive boards. The two teams combinded for 20 turnovers, nine by Denver and 11 by FIU.

The offensive rhythm was better to begin the second half, with the Golden Panthers cutting the margin to 33-26 off a dunk by Ivan Almonte at the 15:18 mark. Sophomore forward Antonio Porch's (Denver, Colo.) second field goal of the night kept the Pioneers ahead, 39-33, with 11:48 left in the game.

An old-fashioned 3-point play by Almonte pulled FIU to within 42-39 at the 7:58 mark. Denver opened a 14-point lead, but four consecutive points by the Golden Panthers put the score at, 53-43 with just 3:24 remaining in the contest. FIU fell apart down the stretch, with the Pioneers walking away with a 63-50 victory.

Benzel led all scores with 20. Nicholson added 13, senior guard Rodney Billups (Denver, Colo.) had 11 and Porch 10. Junior Matias led FIU with 13. The Pioneers outshot the Golden Panthers, 45.7 (21-of-46) to 34.4 (21-of-61). FIU outrebounded Denver, 43-27, including 22 offensive boards. The Pioneers forced 21 Golden Panthers' turnovers.

The Pioneers return home for two games next weekend. Denver will host SBC foes Arkansas State on Thursday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m. and Arkansas-Little Rock on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m.