MIAMI (Jan. 22) - It was a game of two halves. Unfortunately for Denver, its dominant half was the first one, taking a 36-27 lead into the locker room at halftime. Florida International guard Gergana Slavtcheva scored 16 of her game-high 18 points in the second half to give the Golden Panthers a 66-62 Sun Belt Conference win. The Pioneers dropped to 10-6 overall, 4-2 in the SBC, while FIU improved to 7-8 and 2-2 in the SBC.
The Pioneers led for the majority of the game, but allowed FIU to regain the lead at 41-40 for the first time since early in the game. The Pioneers built up a seven-point lead on two baskets by freshman forward Misty Staton (Duke, Okla.), a three-pointer by sophomore forward Martha Dibella (Littleton, Colo.) and two free throws by sophomore guard Melissa Garcia (Thornton, Colo.) to build a 51-44 lead. FIU guard Laura Camps cut the Denver lead to one in 28 seconds with a layup plus a free throw and a three-pointer at the 9:51 mark. The game was tied twice at 55 and 59 before the Golden Panthers held onto the lead.
"We did not finish strong," said Denver coach Pam Tanner. "We have to learn how to hold leads. You don't get second chances in this league."
Freshman guard Ashley Atkinson (Springfield, Mo.) led the way for Denver with 11 points, one of four Pioneers in double figures. Staton, Garcia and junior center Misa Pavlickova (Prague, Czech Republic) had 10 points each. Garcia contributed five assists.
Denver travels to South Alabama for a Sun Belt Conference game on Monday, Jan. 24 at 6:05 p.m. (MST).
