Box Score MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - University of Denver junior guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) scored his 1,000th career point with a 10-point performance, but the Pioneers fell 59-49 to Middle Tennessee on Saturday night at the Murphy Center, snapping Denver's eight-game winning streak.
The Pioneers (10-10, 6-1 SBC) shot 53.3 percent (16-of-30) from the field, while holding the Blue Raiders (9-11, 4-3 SBC) to just 37.7 percent (20-of-53). However, Denver committed 20 turnovers that led to 22 MTSU points, and half of Middle Tennessee's 32 rebounds were offensive, leading to 16 second chance points.
"20 turnovers and 16 offensive rebounds. I don't need to say much more than that," head coach Joe Scott said. "We battled and put ourselves in position to win, but we didn't execute in the last four minutes. We've got to give Middle Tennessee credit because they are a good team and did what they needed to. We need to go back this week and work hard to prepare for North Texas next week."
Sophomore Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) led the Pioneers with 17 points and six rebounds, while freshman forward Chris Udofia (Irving, Texas) added 11 points and five rebounds.
Denver held a 31-28 lead with 15:23 remaining, but the Blue Raiders went on a 15-2 run over the following five minutes to take a 10-point lead.
A dunk by Udofia with 4:44 brought the Pioneers back to within a possession at 47-44, but MTSU finished the game on an 8-2 run in the final minute to seal the victory.
The teams battled through the first half, trading the lead four times. DU shot 60.0 percent (9-of-15), while holding the Blue Raiders to just 21.7 percent (5-of-23). However, the Pioneers turned the ball over 13 times, and led by just two at 23-21 at the break.
The Pioneers return home next weekend to take on defending Sun Belt Conference champion North Texas at Magness Arena on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. MT. Fans can follow the game live on Mile High Sports Radio AM 1510 and FM 93.7 and through LiveStats and CoverItLive available through DenverPioneers.com.
