SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain - The University of Denver men's basketball team fell 72-53 to Lagun Aro GBC of Spain's top professional division at Illumbre Arena on Wednesday night.

"I thought we played better than we did in the last game," head coach Joe Scott said. "This team may not have been quite as good as the last one, but they're still a Division One team over here, which means they're very good. They're very physical, and we came over here as a basketball team to find out that's what it's all about.

"It's the physical nature of the game, and tonight we did a better job technically against the press and our guard play was good. But they were still more physical than us, and we made mistakes at key points in the game. We played better, but to get as good as we can be, our challenge is to get more physical."

Guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) led the Pioneers with 13 points, while guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) added 10 points.

The game was within a possession for the first 15 minutes before Lagun Aro GBC stretched the lead to double figures, but Denver clawed back and cut the deficit to 27-21 at halftime.

Lagun Aro GBC looked like they had the game in hand, but the Pioneers stormed back and cut the deficit to seven points with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Lagun Aro GBC ultimately proved too much, extending the lead in the waning minutes.

The game was played at the home court of Lagun Aro GBC, which is also the bull fighting venue of San Sebastian. At the team's request, the game was closed to spectators other than the Denver travel party and invited guests of Lagun Aro GBC.

Denver next will play Illescas in Madrid on Friday night.