BERKELEY, Calif. — Univer- sity of Denver senior guard Brian Stafford had 40 family members and friends sitting in the stands at Haas Pavilion on Saturday in a rare northern California appearance for the Pioneers’ leading scorer.
Stafford, who grew up 20 minutes east of Berkeley in Walnut Creek, was held to six points, well below his average, and DU didn’t have anyone score in double digits in an 80-59 loss to No. 20 California.
“They’re a good team and they just jumped on us from the beginning,” said Stafford, who took only five shots in 27 minutes. “On both ends of the court we didn’t really respond the right way.”
The Pioneers (4-1), off to the program’s best start since winning seven straight to begin the 1996-97 season, never round a rhythm while facing a ranked opponent for the first time since losing to No. 10 Gonzaga on Nov. 24, 2003.
DU hasn’t beaten a ranked team since a 96-74 win over Utah State on Feb. 15, 1971.
Northern Colorado 77, Southern 57
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas — Emmanuel Addo and Mike Proctor led a balanced scoring attack with 10 points apiece, and the Bears improved to 2-4 with their vic- tory over the Jaguars (2-4) on the final day of the South Padre Island Invitational.
Wyoming 73, Maryland-Eastern Shore 43
LARAMIE — Luke Martinez scored a Division I career- high 18 points, including 5-of-5 shooting on 3-pointers, to lead the Cowboys to a win in the Jim Thorpe Classic.
Francisco Cruz added 10 points for Wyoming (5-1), which never trailed.
Women
Colorado 58, Wisconsin 48
BOULDER — The Buffs won their third consecutive Omni Hotels Classic championship and remained unbeaten with their victory over the Badgers at the Coors Events Center.
CU Improved to 5-0 for the first time since the 2000-01 season. Freshman guard Lexy Kresl led CU with 16 points, which included 8-for-8 shooting on free throws.
UTEP 80, Denver 49
EL PASO, Texas — Kaetlyn Murdoch hit 6-of-11 shots and scored 19 points as the Pioneers fell to the Miners for their first loss of the season.
Loyola Marymount 57, Wyoming 54
LOS ANGELES — Kayla Woodward finished with a career-high 17 points for the Cowgirls.
Denver Post staff & wire services
