MOBILE, Ala. The University of Denver men’s basketball team fell to South Alabama 71-33 at the Mitchell Center on Sunday afternoon.

 

“It’s hard to win anywhere on the road, but it’s especially hard against a team like South Alabama,” head coach Joe Scott said. “We did not play the way we should play, but you have to credit the way South Alabama came out and played really well today. They are an experienced team of upperclassmen. They showed why they have won 13 games in a row and are in first place in the conference.”

 

Sophomore forward Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) led the Pioneers with 10 points, and senior center Adam Tanner (Melbourne, Australia) scored seven points. Freshman guard Xander McNally (San Francisco, Calif.) led DU with five rebounds.

                                                                                                                       

South Alabama (17-3, 9-0 SBC) started the game strong, rattling off four points in the first minute and going on an 8-0 and 9-0 run before ending the half scoring 13 unanswered points. USA’s Demetric Bennett led all scorers at the break with 20 points.

 

Denver (8-11, 4-4 SBC) had trouble finding a rhythm in the first half, as the Pioneers shot just 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from the field before the break without a three-pointer and headed to the lockerroom trailing 41-14.

 

DU’s 14 points were the fewest by a South Alabama opponent this season, while the Jaguars’ 62.5 field goal percentage was the team’s second highest of the season.

 

The Pioneers’ struggles continued in the second half, as DU shot 26.2 percent (11-of-42) in the game and went 1-for-16 from three-point range. Bennett scored a game-high 24 points.

 

South Alabama remains undefeated at home (12-0) and in the SBC (9-0) while extending their overall winning streak to 13 games.

 

The Pioneers return home to Magness Arena to face Florida International on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. MT.