DENVER - University of Denver sophomore forward Chris Udofia (Irving, Texas) recorded his third-career double-double, scoring 20 points and bringing down 11 rebounds, as the Pioneers beat Western Kentucky 78-65 at Magness Arena on Sunday afternoon.

"I thought we came out today prepared and we played well," head coach Joe Scott said. "This was a really big win for us. We were able to take care of the basketball and took advantage of our scoring chances."

Senior guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) added 15 points, freshman guard Royce O'Neale (Killeen, Texas) recorded a career-high with 16 points, and junior guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) scored 11 points and, as four Pioneers reached double figures in scoring for Denver (14-4, 4-1 SBC).

Chase Hallam and freshman guard Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) had five assists each for the Crimson and Gold, and senior forward Justin Coughlin (Yuma, Colo.) tallied two blocks to lead Denver.  

It was all DU from the opening tip as Denver jumped out to a 9-0 lead and held the Hilltoppers (5-14, 1-5 SBC) scoreless until the 13:38 mark in the first half. The Pioneers continued to build on their lead, taking a 43-16 advantage at halftime.

The Crimson and Gold shot a smoldering 65.2 percent (15-of-23) during the first 20 minutes, while holding WKU to just 6-of-24 (25.0 percent) from the floor.

Stafford and Chase Hallam had two three-pointers each in the opening half, and Denver went to intermission 6-of-10 (60.0 percent) from beyond the three-point arc.

Stafford opened the second half with another three-pointer, giving Denver a 46-16 lead - its largest of the game - as the Crimson and Gold continued to dominate WKU.

The Pioneers never allowed the Hilltoppers back within striking distance and never trailed in the contest.

Denver finished with just 10 turnovers and shot 59.6 percent (28-of-47), while forcing 11 Hilltopper turnovers and holding WKU to 44.9 percent (22-of-49) shooting.

DU tallied 10 three-pointers in the contest, shooting a season-high 58.8 percent (10-of-17) from beyond the three-point arc. WKU was 6-of-15 (40.0 percent) on its three-point attempts.

The Pioneers finished 12-of-16 (75.0 percent) from the free-throw line compared to the Hilltoppers' 15-of-19 (78.9 percent).

T.J. Price scored 12 points to lead Western Kentucky. O'Karo Akamune had a game-high eight rebounds in the loss.

Denver begins a two-game round stint with a match-up against Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. MT. Fans can follow the action by listening through Pioneer Vision, Mile High Sports Radio AM 1510 or FM 93.7, and via a live blog available at DenverPioneers.com.

Notes: The Pioneers' 14-4 record marks the best NCAA Division I start in team history...Denver is 9-2 at Magness Arena this season...DU is now 12-1 when leading at halftime...Udofia's 11 rebounds were a season-high for the Pioneers. He has a double-double in each of his three career games with 10 or more rebounds, including 10 against Troy on Dec. 29...Denver has won the last three meetings with the Hilltoppers, tying Middle Tennessee for the longest winning streak against WKU by a Sun Belt Conference team.