Photo by: Dave Stewart
The DU men’s basketball team failed to improve in the Sun Belt Conference standings last week, losing 72-71 on the road to Florida Atlantic on Thursday before picking up a 77-63 rebound victory over Florida International on Saturday.
The contests mark the final two road games ever for the Pioneers (18-8, 8-5) in the SBC, as the program will relocate to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) at the end of the season.
The Pioneers clinched a 7-6 road record this season with the win on Saturday, which is the first time the team has finished with a winning road record under head coach Joe Scott.
“This was a big win for us,” said Scott after Saturday’s victory. “We clinched a .500 road record in league play this year and a winning road record overall on the season. When you’re transforming a program, you look at this as a big step for us.”
Despite suffering their third one-point loss in the last six games, the Pioneers responded well to Thursday’s loss, shooting 53.3 percent from the field and outrebounding FIU 31-29 in Saturday’s win.
DU jumped out to an impressive 28-6 lead in the first half, but FIU (7-17, 4-8) chiseled away the lead in the second half with a 41-20 run to begin the second half.
The Pioneers closed out the game in the final five minutes, receiving big contributions from sophomore Chris Udofia and freshman Brett Olson.
“We showed our resolve and our resilience coming off Thursday’s loss,” said Scott. “Credit to FIU for coming back, but we finished really well, which is important.”
While Udofia shined again for the Pioneers, recording 17 points, seven assists and two blocks, it was the emergence of Olson that made the difference for the Pioneers.
The freshman finished with a team-high 19 points, handling an onslaught of pressure brought on by FIU’s five-guard attack on defense. Despite FIU’s defensive strategy, Olson recorded only one turnover.
“Brett was terrific in all facets of the game,” said Scott. “He handled their pressure well, nailing big shots for us, which he’s been doing all year for us.”
Chase Hallam enjoyed a successful night, finishing with nine points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Although the victory helps the Pioneers stay in front of North Texas for 3rd place in the SBC West Division standings, DU still trails Arkansas-Little Rock and Louisiana-Lafayette with only three games remaining.
Denver has a chance to avenge a 72-71 overtime loss to ULL this Thursday, when they host the Ragin’ Cajuns (15-12, 9-4) in Magness Arena at 5 p.m.
The team rounds out its 2011-2012 regular schedule with home games against Louisiana Monroe this Saturday and North Texas on Feb. 26.
The Pioneers will have yet another revenge opportunity when they host the Mean Green. On Jan. 21, UNT edged DU 75-74 in overtime, which was the team’s first one-point loss of the season. Since that loss, the team has gone on to lose two other close contests and hasn’t won consecutive games, dropping four of its last seven.
“We’re going to take them one at a time and keep doing what we’re doing, which is finish February strong and that will prepare us for March,” said Scott.
