Box Score DENVER - Four players scored in double-figures for the Pioneers, as the University of Denver defeated The Citadel Bulldogs 70-58 at Magness Arena on Thursday night.
Sophomore forward Chris Udofia (Irving, Texas) led all scorers with 19 points, while adding seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Freshman guard Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), junior guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) and freshman guard Royce O'Neale (Killeen, Texas) scored 10 apiece. Chase Hallam also added four assists and four steals.
"I thought we played extremely well today," head coach Joe Scott said. "They started to play better, and maybe we became a little complacent, but I'm going to focus on the last five minutes of the first half and the first eight minutes of the second half. That's where I thought we played really well."
The Pioneers (10-2) scored 27 points off of 15 Bulldog turnovers, while also shooting 80.0 percent (16-for-20) from the free throw line, including a 9-for-10 night by Udofia.
The Bulldogs (2-9) used a zone defense early on, attempting to keep DU from capitalizing on points in the paint. The Pioneers quickly took advantage and showed why they are one of the top three-point shooting teams in the nation, going 6-for-12 (50.0 percent) from three-point range in the first half. The Crimson and Gold used a 15-4 run to take an 18-11 lead with 10:20 left in the first half.
The Pioneers took advantage of the Bulldogs' nine first half turnovers, resulting in 19 points. Denver went on a 16-0 run over the final 4:04 to end the half, including a Chase Hallam lay-up as time expired, to take a 37-19 lead into the break.
The Pioneers carried their defensive dominance into the second half, coming out of the break on a 14-5 run to give DU its biggest lead at 27 points with 15:53 remaining in the game.
Four players scored in double-figures for The Citadel, led by Mike Groselle's team-high 16 points and game-high eight rebounds.
Denver opens Sun Belt Conference play, when it welcomes Troy to Magness Arena on Thursday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast live on Pioneer Vision, Mile High Sports Radio AM 1510 or FM 93.7, and via a live blog available at DenverPioneers.com.
NOTES: Senior guard Brian Stafford scored his 1,307th point against The Citadel, eclipsing two-time All-Sun Belt Conference First Team selection Nate Rohnert (2006-10) for ninth on DU's all-time scoring list...the Pioneer's 10-2 record is their best NCAA Division I start since going 11-2 to open the 1942-43 season...Chris Udofia's 33 blocked shots ties Steve Simmons (1999-00) for the 10th highest single-season record in DU history...Denver has now recorded double-digit victories in six of its 10 total wins...the Pioneers had four players score in double-figures for the second-straight game and fourth time this season
