Box Score DENVER - Sophomore Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) scored a game-high 20 points as University of Denver men's basketball team (0-1) lost 71-65 to Northern Iowa (1-0) in the season opener on Friday night at Magness Arena.

"We wanted to play a team of this caliber because that's the level we expect ourselves to be at," said head coach Joe Scott. "We are going to get better and better throughout this season and I'm excited to see just how good we will be."

Stafford was 8-10 from the field and 4-for-4 from three-point range.  He also had two steals on the night.  Senior Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds and was 8-of-11 from the free throw line.  Junior Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) also contributed 13 points.

Northern Iowa was led by Kwadzo Ahelegbe, who scored 18 points, and Ali Farokhmanesh, who added 16 points. Jordan Eglseder also had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

This is the second year that the Pioneers have opened the season against Northern Iowa, who won the Missouri Valley Conference championship and appeared in the NCAA Tournament last year. 

DU returns to action on Sunday as they host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 1 p.m.  

- PIONEERS -