CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - University of Denver senior guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) scored a game-high 25 points to lead the Pioneers to a 65-58 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at American Bank Center on Monday night.

"We more than found a way to win. I told our team that we're a better team than we showed in the first half," head coach Joe Scott said. "Games are 40 minutes, so we were able to change some things at halftime. I thought our defense was outstanding in the second half, and we played unbelievably well to give us a 14-point lead."

Sophomore forward Chris Udofia (Irving, Texas) had 12 points and six blocked shots, the second-straight game he set a career high in blocks. Senior guard Travis Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) had nine points, all in the first half, including a three-pointer from half court as the buzzer sounded.

With the score tied 38-38 with 14:46 remaining in the game, DU (2-0) ripped off a 19-5 run with six Pioneers scoring during the 6:05 stretch.

Johnathan Jordan helped the Islanders get back into the game, scoring eight points during a subsequent 10-0 run, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (0-2) was within a bucket at 59-56 with 26 seconds to play.

Udofia and Stafford combined for 6-for-6 from the free throw stripe in the final 17 seconds to seal the victory for Denver.

Freshman forward Royce O'Neale (Killeen, Texas) had eight points and four rebounds, while Stafford led the team with five rebounds.

The Pioneers shot 46.9 percent (23-for-49) from the floor in the game, including a 52.4 percent (11-for-21) performance in the second half. DU was also 12-for-14 (85.7 percent) from the free throw line and 7-for-19 (36.8 percent) from three point range, although six of those three-pointers came in the first half.

Denver struggled from the floor for much of the first half but clawed back, and a half court heave from Travis Hallam gave the Pioneers a 33-31 lead at the half.

Stafford got DU off to a quick start with a three-pointer, but the Islanders fought back and led by as many as six points with 2:18 remaining before the break.

Another three-pointer by Stafford with 24 seconds left was punctuated by a half court heave from Travis Hallam that banked for three more points as the buzzer sounded.

The Pioneers return home to take on Southern Mississippi at Magness Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m. MT. Fans can follow the game on Mile High Sports Radio AM 1510 or FM 93.7, and via LiveStats available at DenverPioneers.com.