LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) -- Yemi Nicholson scored 22 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead Denver to a 72-66 win over Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday night.
Denver led at the halftime 31-26 on 46 percent shooting for the half. In the second half, Denver picked up the tempo, shooting 67 percent from the field to hold off Louisiana-Lafayette. For the game, Denver hit 27-of-50 from the field and 6-of-14 from the 3-point range.
Rodney Billups tacked on 13 points for Denver (6-6, 1-0 Sun Belt Conference) and Erik Benzel added 11.
Tiras Wade led Louisiana-Lafayette (6-7, 0-1) with 17 points and six rebounds. Brian Hamilton had 16 points, Dwayne Mitchell added 14 and Chris Cameron 10.
Louisiana-Lafayette hit 47 percent from the field for the game and made 5-of-17 3-pointers.
Denver outrebounded ULL 30-27 and made 21 assists to ULL's 13.
