Dec. 16, 2002

Box Score

Sophomore point guard Katie Davenport (Albuquerque, N.M./Cibola), making the first start of her collegiate career, sunk two free throws with nine seconds to play in the game to seal a 77-74 victory for the University of Denver women's basketball team over Southwest Missouri State Monday at Magness Arena. Denver improves to 3-6 on the season, while SMS falls to 3-3 on the season.

Davenport finished the night with a career-high 15 points, including three 3-pointers. She was only 4-7 from the free throw line on the night, but made both shots at the end to boost the score from 75-74 and give Denver a three-point cushion.

"I was just trying to relax," said Davenport. "I knew that if I kept forcing my shot, it wouldn't go in. It was a relief when they both fell for me. I was surprised that coach (Pam) Tanner started me, and when I found out I was excited and I called my parents."

It was the three-point halftime margin that ultimately decided the game, as the teams played to an even 41-41 tie in the second stanza. The Pioneers started the game by making the first two baskets to earn a 5-0 early lead, and continued to outscore the Lady Bears 16-8 with six minutes gone in the first stanza. SMS tied the game at 18 points on a short jumper from Morgan Hohenberger, and proceeded to mount a 15-3 run to take its first lead of the game at 33-24 with four minutes remaining in the half. Denver worked its way back into the game with a nine-point run to end the half. Nicky Eason (Carpentersville, Ill,/Barrington) scored six points in the run, and Ragan Neblett (Arvada, Colo./Pomona) added a three pointer to allow the Pioneers to take a 36-33 advantage to the locker room at half time.

SMS started the second half with a 13-10 run a to close the three-point halftime margin and tie the game at 46 points with 14 minutes remaining to play. The Pioneers responded to retake the lead at 56-52 before SMS tied the game again at 56 points, and earned a two-point advantage. Denver took the lead back for good when Springfield native Ashley Atkinson (Kickapoo) hit her fourth three pointer of the game to spark a six-point Pioneer run that got the score to 64-59.

Kari Koch hit a three pointer from the left corner to come within one point at 74-75 with 10 seconds to play. On the ensuing inbound play, Jenni Lingor fouled Davenport, sending her to the line for the two clutch free throws with nine seconds to play. Davenport nailed the shots, and the Pioneers were able to defend for the final nine ticks to earn the victory.

"We had 13 turnovers tonight and that was the key to the game," head coach Pam Tanner said. "Hopefully this win can give us additional confidence and we can built on this. I changed the starting lineup to include Katie Davenport and Venice Adams to reward those two for their work ethic. They had good games at Iowa; they knew the scouting report and deserved to start."

Denver remains at home to host the Pioneer Classic with first-round opponent Princeton on Friday at 7 p.m.