Denver defeats South Alabama 61-50

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) Brian Stafford and Rob Lewis scored 14 points apiece Sunday night to lead Denver past South Alabama 61-50 in the Sun Belt tournament quarterfinals.

Royce O'Neale had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Pioneers (22-8), who as the No. 3 seed are the top remaining team in the Sun Belt tournament. Denver will play seventh seed Western Kentucky, which beat No. 2 seed UALR, in Monday's semifinals. Top seed Middle Tennessee lost earlier Sunday.

Augustine Rubit scored 21 points to lead South Alabama (17-11), the No. 6 seed, in the game at Convention Center Court. Mychal Ammons had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Jaguars.

Updated March 5, 2012