JONESBORO, Ark. - University of Denver men's basketball sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) scored 19 points, but the Pioneers fell to Arkansas State 72-63 at the Convocation Center on Saturday night.

"Arkansas State played really well in the first half. I didn't think our intensity and focus were good enough in the first half, and they took advantage of it," head coach Joe Scott said. "We played really well in the second half, but we have to play that way all the time."

Senior guard Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) contributed 13 points and four assists, while freshman guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) had nine points and a team-high seven rebounds.

The Pioneers (13-9, 6-5 SBC) fought back from a 17-point deficit, but 34 points by ASU guard Brandon Reed helped the Red Wolves (13-8, 8-2 SBC) prevail.

The Pioneers clawed their way back to within six points with 12:44 remaining before ASU stretched the lead back to 14-points four minutes later.

Denver chipped away, and junior forward Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) hit a three-pointer with 1:49 to cut the deficit to 66-59, but Denver came up short.

The teams fought to nine lead changes, and the fifth tie of the game came at 23-23 with 9:40 left in the first half. However, Arkansas State ripped off a 16-0 run over the ensuing eight minutes, and the Red Wolves took a 42-28 lead into halftime.

The Pioneers return home to host Florida Atlantic at Magness Arena on Sat., Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. MT.