Nov. 30, 2001

Box Score

Despite a game-high and career-high 24 points from junior forward Misty Staton (Duke, Okla.), the University of Denver women's basketball team fell to the University of Iowa 84-72. Denver falls to 2-3 on the season and ended a 15-game home winning streak, while Iowa improves to 4-1.

The Denver defense caused 26 Iowa turnovers, earning 12 steals, but the Hawkeyes shot 54.7 percent from the field for the game (29-53) and received 19 points from the free throw line (19-25) to earn the victory. The Pioneer offense got 11 more shots than the visiting Hawkeyes, but converted on only 39.1 percent and were outrebounded by the taller Iowa team 44-27.

"I was proud of the way we played tonight," head coach Pam Tanner said. "We played hard, but perhaps we didn't execute as well as we wanted to. Misty Staton did an excellent job. She has been our most consistent player and we have come to expect that from her every night."

In the first half, Denver built a 19-12 lead using a five point mini-run midway through the period, but Iowa responded with a 12-2 run of their own to earn a five-point advantage (26-21) with just under five minutes to play. The Hawkeyes managed to maintain the edge to take a 35-29 lead to the locker room at the break.

Denver tied the game at 42 early in the second half with a 13-7 run capped by a driving layup by Staton. Iowa began to pull away, inching the lead to seven points on Leah Magner's third 3-pointer of the evening (60-53) and continued on a 17-8 run to break open a 10-point lead with five minutes to play in the half. Iowa was able to hold on to the comfortable margin to end the game with an 84-72 victory.

Nikki Weddle (Denver, Colo.) added 14 points for the Pioneers and freshman Nicky Eason (Carpentersville, Ill.) contributed 12. Lindsey Meder led the Hawkeyes with 20 points on 7-18 from the field, including 3-7 from long range. Leah Magner finished with 15 points and Jennie Lillis and Jamie Cavey each added 12.

The Pioneers will take to the road for a three-game trip starting with Northwestern (Dec. 5) and continuing with games at Bradley (Dec. 7) and Monmouth (Dec. 9).