DENVER - Misa Pavlickova (Prague, Czech Republic/Boulder HS) scored 16 points and had nine rebounds to lead the University of Denver women's basketball team to a 78-60 victory over Monmouth Thursday in non-conference action in the first game of a doubleheader with the men's game at Magness Arena.

The Pioneers improve to 7-4 on the season and extend their winning streak to four games while Monmouth falls to 3-5. Pavlickova led four Pioneers in double figure scoring. Martha Dibella (Littleton, Colo./Arapahoe) scored a season high 13 points and Ashley Atkinson (Springfield, Mo./Kickapoo) matched her with 13 points and added seven assists. Freshman Ragan Neblett (Arvada, Colo./Pomona) notched her first collegiate double figure scoring performance with 11 points on 5-7 from the field

Returning to action after a 10-day hiatus for the holidays, Denver opened the game with a 15-3 run before Monmouth scored five straight points to close the gap to 15-8. The Pioneers responded with an 8-2 run capped by back-to-back baskets by Dibella to open a 26-12 lead at 8:11. The Hawks stayed in the game, scoring six straight points, but again Denver answered with seven straight points of their own, six from Pavlickova who had 14 points and eight rebounds in the first period. The Pioneers led by 19 (41-22) at the half.

The Pioneers extended their lead to 27 points in the second half on two free throws from Nikki Weddle (Denver, Colo./Montbello) and never allowed the Hawks closer than 16 points the remainder of the game. All 13 Pioneers saw game action, including five freshmen. The Pioneers shot 46.7 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from the three-point arc.

Michelle Cappadona led the Hawks with a game high 23 points and had 10 rebounds. Katie Kostohryz was the only other Monmouth player in double figures with 12 points.

Denver stays at home to complete a five game homestand hosting non-conference foe Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m., the second game of a doubleheader with the Pioneer men.