Jan. 27, 2005

Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. - Sophomore forward Antonio Porch (Denver, Colo.) and junior center Yemi Nicholson (Aurora, Colo.) each recorded double-doubles as the Denver Pioneers defeated the South Alabama Jaguars 72-67 tonight at the Mitchell Center. The Pioneers' sixth consecutive win improves them to 11-6 overall and 6-0 in Sun Belt Conference play. The Jaguars fall to 5-13, 2-5.

"Its extremely gratifying from the stand point that we just couldn't get into a rhythm tonight," said head coach Terry Carroll. "It is never a surprise to see what team gets the loose balls and the breaks. "It is usually the team that works the hardest and during the last 10 minutes it was us."

It seemed as though the Pioneers had the Jaguars beat from the opening tip as South Alabama shockingly moved to 0-10 after losing the opening tip. Porch six early points helped Denver build off its momentum and open a 16-14 lead with 11:27 remaining in the first half. Porch scored his seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth point during the games next four minutes to extend the Pioneers' lead to 22-16.

All-conference forward Richard Law keyed a 13-3 run to give USA a 29-25 advantage at the 2:03 mark of the half. The Jaguars expanded their lead to five but senior guard Rodney Billups (Denver, Colo.) scored a driving layup at the buzzer to put the halftime score at 32-39.

Porch tallied 10 points in the half with teammate Nicholson added eight. The Pioneers shot 36.7 percent (11-30) from the field, to the Jaguars' 43.3 percent (13-30). Denver was 7-of-8 (.875) from the free-throw line, but 0-of-5 from downtown.

Porch (9) and Nicholson (7) scored the Pioneers' first 16 second-half points, pulling Denver to within one at 46-45 with 14 minutes remaining in the game. A small outburst by South Alabama extended its lead to 52-48 at the 11:36 mark, but the Pioneers responded with an outburst of their own as junior guard Brett Seger (Omaha, Neb.) made two free throws to put Denver up 61-54 with 7:30 left in the contest.

The see-saw battle continued as Law capped an 8-0 run with a 3-pointer from the wing, giving USA a 64-63 lead at the 3:16 mark. Denver clawed back with Seger and Porch scoring the Pioneers' last few points, giving them a 72-67 win.

Porch scored 25 points. Nicholson added 20 and Seger had 13. Law led USA with 25. Porch (11) and Nicholson (10) both tallied double-doubles. Mario Jointer had a double-double for the Jaguars with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Pioneers registered 22 points from the free throw line.

The Pioneers are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 29, when they travel to New Orleans to battle the Privateers at 6 p.m. MT.