DENVER (AP) - Travis Hallam and his brother Chase Hallam each scored 13 points and Denver pulled away in the closing minutes to beat Louisiana-Lafayette 65-52 on Thursday night for its third consecutive victory.

Tyler Thalken and Kyle Lewis added nine points apiece for Denver (5-9), helping the Pioneers get off to a winning start in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

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J.J. Thomas had 11 points to lead the Ragin' Cajuns (2-10), who lost their 11th straight on the road, including all seven this season.

Louisiana-Lafayette also lost forward Scottie Farrington to an injury with just less than 16 minutes left when he took a knee to the face during a scramble for the ball beneath Denver's basket. The blow opened up a gash above Farrington's left eye, which had to be stitched up. He returned to the bench after being treated but did not return to the game.