Nov. 22, 2003

Box Score

DENVER - Junior guard Tasha Jones (San Antonio, Texas) scored 20 points to lead the University of Denver women's basketball team to a 62-39 victory over regional rival Wyoming from the Mountain West Conference Saturday at Hamilton Gymnasium.

Denver broke open a 12-point lead early in the first half with intense pressing defense and never trailed in the season-opening game. Denver led by as many as 25 points late in the second half, and every eligible player logged time on the court. The Pioneers held Wyoming to 39 points, the lowest total since 2001-02 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Dec. 16.

The Pioneer trapping and pressing defense forced Wyoming to make three shot clock violations, and 31 total turnovers. Wyoming shot just 33.3 percent from the field, and 31.3 percent from long range. Brenda Picku led the Cowgirls with 10 points.

Leading by 16 points midway through the second half, Jones put the nail in the coffin with a run and gun three pointer to give the Pioneers a 19-point lead at 52-33 with 7:07 remaining to play. Jones shot 7-10 from the field for the game.

"We played great team defense tonight," Head Coach Pam Tanner said. "I'm proud of the effort and energy of this team, especially coming off final's week. This is a good way to start the season."

In the first half, Denver used an 11-0 run to open a 22-9 lead with five minutes remaining in the half. Sophomore forward Venice Adams (Luling, La.) scored a career-high 13 points in the period to lead the Pioneer charge. Junior guard Tasha Jones added 10 points in the period to give the Pioneers a 26-16 lead at the intermission.

Denver shot 56.1 percent from the field, and 46.2 percent from long range. Jones and Adams were the only Pioneers in double figure scoring, but 12 of 13 eligible players found the scoreboard, and Stephanie Hart and Ragan Neblett contributed six points apiece.

The Pioneers are in action next at the University of Texas-San Antonio Tournament, facing Western Carolina in the first game on Nov.28 at 4 p.m. MT. Denver returns home Dec. 11 vs. Colorado State.