Jan. 19, 2006

Box Score

JONESBORO, Ark. - The Denver Pioneers' road struggles continued tonight as DU dropped a 72-61 decision at Arkansas State in the Convocation Center. Senior center Yemi Nicholson (Aurora, Colo.) recorded 15 points to lead Denver. Sophomore guard Steve Wetrich (Ottumwa, Iowa) and junior forward Antonio Porch (Denver, Colo.) both scored in double figures for the Pioneers, with 11 points each. The Pioneers' second consecutive loss drops them to 10-8 overall and 3-2 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Indians improve to 8-12, 3-3.

Dereke Tipler led four Indians in double-figures with 18 points. ASU outshot DU from the free-throw line, 94.1 percent (16-17) to 50.0 percent (8-16).

Arkansas State began the second half red hot, upping its lead to 47-40 with 15:27 remaining in the game. A Wetrich floater closed the gap to 52-50 at the 11:42 mark. It remained a two-point contest (58-56) when Porch made a layup with 7:56 left in the game. Denver never got closer at the Indians held on for a 72-61 victory.

Nicholson led DU with 11 second-half points.

The Pioneers got off to a very solid start opening an 8-2 lead with 15:32 remaining in the first half. Denver's lead evaporated as Arkansas State went on an 11-2 run to take a 13-10 lead at the 11:17 mark. Porch scored four consecutive points to pull DU back in front, 22-20 with 7:56 left. The Pioneers' lead grew to four but five consecutive points by the Indians moved them in front, 31-30 at the 3:34 mark. A jumper by Tipler at the buzzer extended the Indians' lead to 35-32.

Nicholson only played six first-half minutes after picking up his second foul. Marcus Ardison and Tipler each had 10 points to lead ASU. The Indians outshot the Pioneers, 46.4 percent (13-28) to 34.4 percent (11-32). ASU was also 4-of-8 from behind the 3-point line.

The Pioneers conclude their three-game SBC road trip at back-to-back East Division champion Arkansas-Little Rock on Sat., Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. MT. The game heard live on KCKK AM 1600 and DenverPioneers.com.