Pioneers Defeat Arkansas State, 64-55
Denver ends 2009 with third-straight conference victory
DENVER – The University of Denver closed out 2009 with a 64-55 victory over Sun Belt Conference foe Arkansas State at Magness Arena on Thursday afternoon.
The Pioneers (10-4, 3-0 SBC), who were up by as many as 16 in the second half, were led by senior Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.), who finished with 15 points and five rebounds. Sophomore Sabatino Chen (Louisville, Colo.) and freshman Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) each contributed 12 points.
“I thought that we played solid basketball today,” said assistant coach Mike McKee, who was acting as head coach as Joe Scott served a one-game suspension for being ejected at Northern Colorado on Dec. 28, per SBC rules. “We have been able to develop our team depth this season, and I think that today’s victory was a reflection of that.”
Denver shot 54.2 percent (13-of-24) in the first half and scored the final eight points before the break, heading into the locker rooms with a 34-20 advantage.
The Pioneers led 61-49 with 40 seconds to play before two ASU three-pointers brought the Red Wolves to within seven points, but two free throws from sophomore Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) sealed the 64-55 Denver victory.
With its third-straight SBC victory, DU is off to its best start in conference play since the 2005-06 season when the Pioneers started off 3-0.
ASU’s Martavius Adams scored 17 points as the Red Wolves fell to 6-6 overall and 1-1 in the SBC.
The Pioneers will continue conference play as they travel to face Troy on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. MT.
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