DENVER --- Denver hit 14 3-pointers and committed just four turnovers in a 71-48 victory over the University of South Alabama men’s basketball team Saturday afternoon at Magness Arena.

The loss is USA’s fifth in six games. The Jaguars fall to 12-9 overall and 4-5 in the Sun Belt Conference. Denver is now 13-7 and 6-3.

“We didn’t show up tonight,” said South Alabama head coach Ronnie Arrow. “We don’t have the manpower to do the things we were doing early in the year, but they have a really good bunch and they’ll pick you apart. If you don’t come ready to play, they’ll pick you apart and shoot the heck out of it from the 3s. The number one thing we put on the board (in the locker room) was ‘Guard the 3-point line.’ Fourteen out of 28 is not what I’d call guarding the 3-point line.”

South Alabama came into the game ranked second in the SBC – and 32nd in the nation – in 3-point defense, allowing opponents to hit just 29.8% from behind the arc, but was no match for Denver who was second in the league in both 3-point percentage and 3-pointers per game.

Four of the Pioneers first six field goals and six of their 10 at halftime were from long range as they built a 29-20 lead at the break.

DU used trifectas from Andrew Hooper and Travis Hallam in a 9-1 run to break an early tie and lead by eight, and another triple from Hooper with 5:47 to play gave the Pioneers an 11-point advantage.

The 3-point barrage continued after intermission as back-to-back long-range attempts fell on Denver’s first two possessions.

A jumper from USA junior Tim Williams (Pontiac, Mich.) at the 14:23 mark pulled the Jags to within 11, but the Pioneers responded with a 14-3 spurt to put the game out of reach.

South Alabama shot 37.5% from the field and set season lows with 15 field goals, 40 attempts and five assists. The conference’s team leader in forcing turnovers had just one steal on four Denver miscues.

“Our continuity is just really bad right now,” said Arrow. “We have kids playing out of position because of injury. Our continuity isn’t anywhere close to what it was. We just have to get back home and start doing the things we were doing earlier in the year.”

South Alabama freshman Martino Brock (Memphis, Tenn.) tallied a game-high 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Williams added 14 – 12 in the second half – and led all players with eight boards.

Hooper came off the bench to pace the Pioneers in scoring with 15 on four 3-pointers. Brian Stafford recorded 12 points.

The Jaguars return home to host Florida Atlantic Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

NOTES: South Alabama’s 20 points at halftime were a season-low… Brock had 10 of the team’s 20 points at the break… Denver had just 21 rebounds for the game and only two on the offensive end… The Jags shot 53.8% from the floor in the second half, marking the first time this season they converted better than 50% after halftime and lost… USA’s previous six games had been decided by eight points or less… South Alabama is 1-7 in its last eight trips to Denver.


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