Jan. 2, 2003

Box Score

Denver, Colo. - Sophomore forward Nicky Eason (Carpentersville, Ill./Barrington) recorded her second career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead the University of Denver women's basketball team to a victory over Idaho State (81-72) Thursday at Magness Arena in the first game of a doubleheader with the men's team. Denver improved to 6-7 on the season, while ISU fell to 4-6.

After trailing by eight points, Regan Neblett (Arvada, Colo./Pomona) started the Pioneers on a 13-4 run to give the Pioneers their first lead of the game at 25-24 with six minutes to play. Eason scored four points to fuel a 6-0 Pioneer run to end the half with Denver leading 37-31. Idaho State scored the first six points of the game before Denver recovered as Amber Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis) scored five straight points, including a three pointer, to bring the Pioneers back to within three points at 15-12.

In the second half, Kellie Carwell (Villa Park, Ill./Timothy Christian) nscored four points to lead a 6-2 run that gave the Pioneers a 10-point lead just three minutes into the stanza. The Bengals mounted a 20-8 run, including eight points from the free throw line, to regain the lead at 53-51 at the mid-way point of the half. The Pioneers responded by scoring eight straight points en route to a 12-2 run that gave Denver a 63-55 lead with six minutes to play. Denver increased its lead to 69-58 before ISU scored the next six points to come within five points with 1:34 remaining to play.

The Bengals used fouls to stop the clock against Denver who came into the game shooting just 57.5 percent from the line. However, the Pioneers made 10 free throws down the stretch, and shot 16-18 from the line for the game. Freshman Nakia Carlisle (St. Paul, Minn./Central) converted a conventional three-point play with under a minute to play, and sunk two free throws on the ensuing possession to give the Pioneers a comfortable margin at 78-70 with just 40 ticks on the clock.

Denver shot 47.1 percent from the field and had five players in double digit scoring. Along with Eason, Johnson scored 13 points for the Pioneers, while Stephanie Hart added 11, and Ragan Neblett scored 10. Idaho State was led by Cristal Fernandez with 22 points.

The Pioneers will complete the non-conference portion of the schedule at BYU Saturday, Jan. 4.