HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Jeremy Allen had 16 points and Florida International used a balanced attack to beat cold-shooting Denver 53-49 on Saturday night in the first round of the Sun Belt Tournament.
After hitting 5-of-22 shots (22.7 percent) in the first half, the Pioneers were only 6-of-30 midway through the second half. Brian Stafford was 8-for-18 from the field and had 22 points for DU.
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (11-18)
Gary 0-4 4-7 4, Roberts 4-7 4-8 12, Wright 3-4 2-3 8, Allen 6-11 4-5 16, Ferguson 2-3 0-0 4, Weaver 1-1 0-0 2, Taylor 1-1 0-0 2, Bell 1-1 0-0 3, Frederick 1-3 0-0 2, Moore 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-36 14-23 53.
DENVER (13-17)
Stafford 8-18 2-2 22, Thalken 1-2 0-0 3, T. Hallam 2-6 0-0 5, C. Hallam 2-8 2-2 6, Udofia 3-9 2-2 8, Noonan 2-8 1-1 5, K. Lewis 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 18-53 7-7 49.
Halftime — FIU 22-12. 3-point goals — FIU 1-6 (Bell 1-1, Ferguson 0-1, Allen 0-2, Gary 0-2), DU 6-25 (Stafford 4-11, T. Hallam 1-2, Thalken 1-2, Udofia 0-2, K. Lewis 0-2, Noonan 0-3, C. Hallam 0-3). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — FIU 34 (Ferguson 7), DU 25 (Udofia 6). Assists — FIU 8 (Gary 5), DU 8 (C. Hallam, T. Hallam, Stafford, Thalken 2). Total fouls — FIU 15, DU 22. A — NA.
