Yemi Nicholson’s putback with 0.8 seconds left was the difference, as the Denver Pioneers clipped the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, 58-57, in the quarterfinal round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament from the Murphy Center.

Nicholson finished with a game-high 27 points and nine rebounds for Denver (15-14), which will take on South Alabama in the semifinal round on Monday. DaShawn Walker also got into the mix the Pioneers, the West Division’s third seed, as he posted 21 points and five rebounds in the winning cause.

Marcus Morrison led the way for Middle Tennessee (16-11), the East Division’s second seed, with 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the floor. Adam Vogelsberg added 11 points and five rebounds, while Fats Cuyler had 10 points in the losing effort.

Denver odds shot 42.9 percent from the floor in the first half to open a 29-24 lead at the break.

Middle Tennessee led 57-54 late in the second half, but a jumper by Denver’s Antonio Porch and Nicholson’s putback propelled the Pioneers to the thrilling one-point victory.

Denver made 41.9 odd percent of its shots from the field in the game and also connected on 6-of-16 three pointers and 16-of-19 free throws.