DENVER (AP) -- Antonio Porch scored 27 points, and Yemi Nicholson added 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead the University of Denver to an 83-71 win Saturday over Middle Tennessee State.
Rodney Billups finished with 18 points for Denver (15-8, 9-2 Sun Belt), who got all but three first-half points from Billups, Nicholson and Porch.
Denver led 42-41 at the half on 50 percent shooting from the field, while the Blue Raiders made 18-of-30 for 60 percent shooting.
Middle Tennessee (15-10, 5-6) kept things close in the second half and briefly gained a 61-60 lead with 10:35 left before the Pioneers tightened up on defense and went on an 11-0 run to put the game away.
Michael Cuffee led Blue Raiders scorers with 20 points, and Steve Thomas had 14.
