DENVER—Nate Rohnert tied his career high with 28 points to lead the University of Denver to a 66-57 win over Louisiana-Monroe in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Wednesday night.
The No. 7-seeded Pioneers (15-15, 9-9 SBC) went 7-for-8 from the free-throw line in the game’s final minute to pull away in a tight second half.
Denver’s Brian Stafford went a career-best 10-for-10 from the line in the game, including a 6-for-6 stretch in the last 55 seconds.
Stafford, Rohnert and Rob Lewis were the only Pioneers in double figures. Lewis tallied 13 points, while Stafford had 12.
The Warhawks (10-20, 6-12) were paced by Dynile Forbes with 16 points. He was followed by Lawrence Gilbert with 11 and Malcolm Thomas with 10.
Gilbert also recorded a game-high 13 rebounds.
With the win, Denver advances to the SBC tournament quarterfinal round in Hot Springs, Ark. The Pioneers take on No. 2-seeded Arkansas-Little Rock on Sunday.
