DENVER (AP) -- Royce O'Neale had 14 points, five rebounds and
five assists to lead Denver to a 66-60 victory against New
Mexico State on Saturday.



Brett Olson and Chris Udofia added 13 points each for the
Pioneers (19-8, 14-2 Western Athletic), who won their eighth
straight game and inched closer to clinching the No. 2 seed in
the conference tournament.



Bandja Sy had 21 points and 11 rebounds and Sim Bhullar 17
points and four blocks for the Aggies (19-10, 12-4).



After O'Neale's two free throws gave Denver a 57-54 advantage
with 1:22 remaining, Sy turned the ball over. At the other end,
Chase Hallum drilled a 3-pointer for Denver.



Sy responded with a basket from behind the arc to make it 60-57
with 37 seconds left, but with New Mexico State forced to foul,
the Pioneers protected the lead by going 6 for 6 from the
free-throw line down the stretch.



Denver is two games in front of third-place New Mexico State in
the WAC standings, with two conference games to play. The
schools split their two meetings this season.