BOWLING GREEN, KY. (AP) -- Brian Stafford scored 12 of his 17 points in the first half to lead Denver to a 62-59 victory over Western Kentucky on Thursday night.
A 12-2 run by the Hilltoppers late in the game helped trim an 18-point Pioneers' lead to 59-57 with 39 seconds remaining.
Stafford sealed the game by making two free throws with 9 seconds remaining to give Denver a 61-57 lead.
The Pioneers won on the road for just the fifth time in their past 62 games.
Travis Hallam chipped in 15 points while Chase Hallam had 11 points and nine rebounds for the Pioneers.
Denver (7-9, 3-0 Sun Belt Conference) led 37-22 at the half on 17-of-30 shooting while Western Kentucky (5-9, 0-2) shot just 9 for 26.
Juan Pattillo led the Hilltoppers with 24 points and 11 rebounds and Sergio Kerusch also had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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