DENVER - University of Denver men's basketball junior guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) scored 20 points, as the Pioneers beat Alcorn State 69-51 at Magness Arena on Wednesday night.

Sophomore guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) added 16 points and a career-high seven assists, while junior guard Travis Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) had career-bests with 12 points and six assists.

"It was very important to get our first win tonight," head coach Joe Scott said. "I thought we played well defensively, and we got a good contribution from Travis Hallam."

Denver (1-4) hit a season-high 23 field goals and 10 three pointers, and dished out a season-best 19 assists. The Pioneers also forced 22 turnovers, including 12 steals.

The Braves (0-5) took an initial 1-0 lead to start the game, but Pioneers never trailed again, leading by as many as 23 points in the second half. With 7:16 remaining in the first half, Denver was up by just three points, but the Pioneers went on a 10-0 run over the following four minutes and led 32-19 at halftime.

Stafford, who led the Pioneers in scoring for the fourth-straight game, went 4-for-9 from the field with a trio of three-pointers and a 9-for-10 performance from the free throw line.

Alcorn State junior Marquiz Baker had a game-high 29 points, going 8-for-19 from the field and 7-for-11 from three-point range. Prior to tonight, Baker had six three-pointers combined in four collegiate games.

The Pioneers return to the road this weekend, when they will take on Boise State on Saturday at 7 p.m. MT.