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DENVER (AP) -- Erik Benzel sank four 3-pointers and scored 19 points as Denver beat South Dakota State 83-69 Saturday night.
Rodney Billups added 15 points and Antonio Porch 12 points as Denver (4-2) won consecutive games for the first time this year. All five starters reached double figures for the Pioneers.
Brady Hokenson had 15 points for South Dakota State (1-7), which extended its losing streak to five. The Jackrabbits pulled to within 10 in the second half on Luke Geiver's 3-pointer 13 seconds into the period.
But Porch scored five points in a 10-0 run for Denver that made it 50-30. The Jackrabbits never got closer that 60-46 after 3-pointers by Hokenson and Ben Beran.
Benzel scored seven straight points late in the first half after Jared DeJong closed the gap to 28-25 for South Dakota State with a follow up jumper. Denver ended the half with a 12-2 run, with Benzel hitting a 3-pointer and converting a four-point play.
