DENVER - University of Denver sophomore forward Chris Udofia (Irving, Texas) tied a career-high with 21 points and senior guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) added 15 points, as the Pioneers defeated the Arkansas State Red Wolves 66-52 at Magness Arena on Thursday.

Udofia went 8-of-13 (61.5 percent) from the field, including three baskets from beyond the arc. Denver recorded its 11th double-digit victory of the season in front of 7,075 fans, the third largest men's basketball crowd in Magness Arena history.

"I thought we played extremely well tonight," head coach Joe Scott said. "It's great to see that kind of crowd. It's good for our players. They've worked hard and earned it."

The Pioneers (16-5, 6-2 SBC) held the Red Wolves, who were second in the Sun Belt Conference in three-point percentage, to 0-for-3 shooting from three-point range in the first half. ASU (9-13, 3-5 SBC) would go on to finish 2-for-5 from beyond the arc in the game. Denver's solid defense led to points on the offensive end, as the Crimson and Gold converted 27 points on 17 turnovers from Arkansas State.

Denver jumped out to an early 10-2 lead and did not allow Arkansas State to record a field goal for the first 5:13. ASU quickly responded with a 12-4 run, tying the score at 14-14 with 7:37 to go in the first half.

Denver led 20-19 with 2:52 remaining in the first half when an off-the-ball flagrant foul occurred simultaneously with Stafford draining a three-point shot from the right wing. The Crimson and Gold retained possession following a pair of free throws by senior forward Justin Coughlin (Yuma, Colo.), and freshman guard Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) hit DU's second three-pointer in a span of nine seconds. The quick turn of events resulted in an eight-point possession for Denver and a 28-21 lead heading into the half.

The eight-point Pioneer swing just before the intermission increased to an 18-4 run, pushing the DU lead to 15 with 17:48 to go.

A jumper from Stafford at the 15:29 mark began a 17-6 Denver run that was capped off by eight-straight points from Udofia, including two straight three-point baskets. Udofia's 21st-point at the 5:51 mark extended the Denver lead to 20 and ultimately put away the Red Wolves for good.

Arkansas State was led by Malcoln Kirkland who scored 19 points and added seven rebounds. Brandon Peterson grabbed a game-high eight rebounds for ASU.

Denver returns to the road this weekend to take on the Arkansas Little-Rock Trojans on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. MT. The game will be webcast live on Pioneer Vision, be broadcast live on Mile High Sports Radio AM 1510 or FM 93.7, and via a live blog available at DenverPioneers.com.

NOTES: Denver's 16-5 start is its best as an NCAA Division I program...Chris Udofia's single block moved him into a tie with Dwayne Russell (1980-81) for eighth in DU's single season history with 46 blocks.