HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — The Denver University Pioneers advanced to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinals with a 61-50 victory Sunday over South Alabama.
The third-seeded Pioneers (22-8, 12-5 in the SBC) next play Western Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. tonight. Arkansas State and North Texas play in the other semifinal.
The championship is Tuesday at 5 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.
The Pioneers built a 10-point lead in the second half with a 3-pointer by senior guard Brian Stafford that made the score 39-31. But South Alabama (18-12, 9-9 in the SBC) quickly cut the lead to 43-39 with 10:49 left to play on a basket by Augustine Rubit that sent starting sophomore forward Chris Udofia to the bench with his fourth foul.
The lead was 52-50 with less than five minutes to play when Udofia scored inside off an assist from freshman Royce O’Neale to give the Pioneers a little breathing room. Freshman guard Brett Olson hit a big three with about 2:20 to play to give the Pioneers a 59-50 lead.
The Pioneers led 27-22 at the half. Both teams started slowly and were tied at 8-8 with about 10 minutes left in the first half, but then Olson drained a quick three, O’Neale hit a bucket, and senior forward Rob Lewis dunked to give the Pioneers at 15-8 lead.
The Pioneers were playing without Chase Hallam, who is missing the tournament with a fractured disc. Hallam started at point guard the past three seasons and was named preseason All-SBC second team.
Stafford and Lewis led a balanced scoring attack with 14 points apiece.
Earlier in the day, DU’s women’s team ended their season with a 67-59 loss to FIU in the quarterfinals. They finished the season 22-9.
