Pioneers Down Arkansas-Pine Bluff 75-56

Stafford scores game-high 19, as Denver earns its first win of the season with a 19-point victory

DENVER – DU Wins! University of Denver sophomore guard sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) had 19 points to help the Pioneers (1-1) defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-2) in a 75-56 victory Sunday afternoon at Magness Arena.

Stafford was a stellar 6-for-8 from the field and 5-for-6 from three-point range for a game-high 19 points after scoring 20 in DU’s season opener on Friday. Senior Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) contributed 20 points and tied a career-high with nine assists. Junior Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) added 18 points, including 12 in the second half, and two steals.

In the game, the Pioneers shot 59.5% from the field and 52.4 percent from three-point range.

“I was happy to see us fight hard in the second half, but we still have to work on developing that killer instinct,” head coach Joe Scott said. “This was a good win, and I like where we’re at right now.”

The Golden Lions started the game on a 7-0 run over the first 3:37 of the game, but the Pioneers went 9-for-15 from the field and 6-for-10 from beyond the arc to end the half with a 40-36 lead.

The Pioneers poured it on in the second half, starting with a 15-2 run, and held the Golden Lions to only 20 points after the break. 

Denver returns to action against Montana at Magness Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m.