Feb. 23, 2006

Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. - Senior center Yemi Nicholson (Aurora, Colo.) recorded his 15th double-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks but it was not enough as the Denver Pioneers dropped a 74-65 decision to the South Alabama Jaguars at the Mitchell Center on Thursday night. The Pioneers' loss snaps a three-game winning streak and drops them to 15-13 overall and 7-7 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Jaguars improved to 20-6 overall and 11-3 in the SBC.

Juniors Antonio Porch (Denver, Colo.) and DaShawn Walker (Chicago, Ill.) were the other Pioneers in double figures with 12 points apiece.

"We were right in this game with a chance to win the thing, but when you turn the ball over 22 times you don't give yourself a very good shot to win the game," said head coach Terry Carroll. "I give South Alabama credit but tonight we beat ourselves."

The Jaguars' three-point halftime lead got a big as 10 during the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Pioneers did cut the margin back to three twice during the game's final 10 minutes, but they could not get any closer as USA defeated Denver, 74-65.

South Alabama used 10 first-half points from Jointer and 14 DU turnovers to build an early nine-point lead. DU countered with 10 first-half points from Nicholson to cut the margin to 32-27 at halftime.

Earlier today Nicholson was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week the league office announced. The senior becomes the first player in the 30-year history of the SBC to earn the honor four times in a single season. Nicholson averaged 29.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.5 assists in Denver's two victories last week. He went 19-of-24 (.792) from the field and 20-of-25 (.800) from the free throw line.

In his last game in Magness Arena, Nicholson dominated North Texas posting his second career 30-point, 15-rebound performance. He went 9-of-13 (.692) from the floor and 12-of-14 (.857) from the foul line. Nicholson also recorded three blocks, two assists and a steal in the victory. His 14 defensive rebounds and 12 made free throw were both career highs.

Nicholson scored 28 points on 10-of-11 (.909) shooting in DU's first victory of the week. He had seven rebounds and three blocks in that victory as well.

DU concludes the regular season at Troy on Sat., Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. MT.