There were a lot of positives for coach Joe Scott to talk about after the Denver Pioneers regrouped late in the second half Saturday and claimed a 79-62 win over Boise State at Magness Arena.
Scott could have started with second-chance field goals by Chase Hallam and Brett Olson early in the second half and a vital 3-pointer from Brian Stafford with 3:15 left in the game that built DU’s lead to 61-48.
Shortly after Stafford’s shot from in front of the DU bench, the Broncos scored six consecutive points to cut their deficit to 61-54. But it was a hill too steep for them to climb.
“I was pretty happy with the way we handled the pressure and got the ball up the court,” Scott said. “We scored and attacked a little bit and passed the ball to take time off the clock. We have to know how to protect leads.”
Stafford’s clutch shot cooled Boise State’s press.
“I’m glad he took the shot, but I’m even happier that it went in,” Scott said. “That’s what a senior does.”
The Pioneers (8-2), still smarting from an 80-78 overtime loss two weeks ago against Iona when they let the lead slip away, were encouraged by stepping in front of Boise State’s rally and cutting it off.
When the Broncos (8-3) cut DU’s lead to 61-52 on free throws by Anthony Drmic with 2:53 left in the game, it was the first time the margin was under double figures since late in the first half.
“We did a good job getting the ball to the basket and getting open looks,” Stafford said. “We made them pay for the pressure they were putting on and finished out the game.”
DU center Rob Lewis scored seven of his 10 points in the last 2:39 of the game.
Forward Chris Udofia, who scored 17 points for DU, said the improving Pioneers stayed within their offense.
“Once we get down, we try to stay calm and run our offense,” Udofia said. “We’ll take anything that can help us build our lead at the end.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
BOISE STATE (8-3)
Bropleh 1-3 0-0 2, Watkins 2-3 2-3 6, Drmic 4-13 5-6 14, Elorriaga 1-1 0-0 2, Perryman 5-10 1-2 12, Marks 2-5 9-14 13, Hanstad 0-0 0-0 0, Wiley 0-2 0-0 0, Crayton 1-2 0-0 2, Buckner 4-8 3-4 11. Totals 20-47 20-29 62.
DENVER (8-2)
Lewis 3-3 4-6 10, Udofia 6-9 3-5 17, Stafford 6-7 4-4 18, Olson 1-4 0-0 3, C. Hallam 2-8 4-4 9, Coughlin 5-7 0-0 11, Foeman 0-0 0-0 0, T. Hallam 3-4 0-0 7, O’Neale 2-6 0-1 4, Pickert 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 28-49 15-20 79.
Halftime — Denver 36-22. 3-point goals — Boise State 2-10 (Perryman 1-2, Drmic 1-5, Wiley 0-1, Bropleh 0-2). Denver 8-15 (Stafford 2-2, Udofia 2-3, T. Hallam 1-1, Coughlin 1-2, Olson 1-3, C. Hallam 1-4). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — Boise State 29 (Perryman 7), Denver 26 (Olson 6). Assists — Boise State 6 (Elorriaga, Perryman 2), Denver 17 (T. Hallam, Olson 3). Total fouls — Boise State 21, Denver 23. Technical — Marks. A — 2,335.
