MONROE, La. – Brian Stafford scored 22 points and Denver used a late run to defeat Louisiana-Monroe 66-57 on Saturday, extending the Pioneers' winning streak to six games.
The Pioneers (8-9, 4-0 Sun Belt Conference) closed the game with a 13-2 run to erase a two-point deficit with 2:10 to play. Stafford scored nine points in the run and Chase Hallam added the other four as they combined to go 8 of 8 from the line in the final 35 seconds.
Stafford finished with four 3-pointers and went 6 for 6 from the free-throw line.
Denver also closed the first half with a 20-4 run for a 32-24 halftime lead as the Pioneers hit six 3-pointers during that stretch, including three from Trevor Noonan.
Tommie Sykes scored 18 points and Fred Brown added 16 points to lead Louisiana-Monroe (5-12, 0-3).
Chris Udofia added 12 points and Hallam finished with nine for Denver.
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