Dec. 21, 2003

Box Score

Led by a career-high 24 points from senior Ragan Neblett (Arvada, Colo.), the University of Denver women's basketball team built a 16-point second-half lead and held on for a 69-63 victory over Kansas Sunday afternoon in the championship game of the Wells Fargo Classic. With the win the Pioneers improve to 5-3 on the season. Kansas' loss was its first in six games and the Jayhawks dropped to 5-3.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair with Denver leading throughout much of the 20 minutes. The Pioneers jumped out to an 8-1 lead early on before Kansas came back with an 11-4 run of their own to tie the game at 12-12. After exchanging baskets for much of the rest of the half, the Pioneers ended the half with an 8-0 run thanks to back-to-back three-pointers by Neblett and junior Tasha Jones (San Antonio, Texas) that gave Denver a 31-24 halftime lead.

Opening the second half, Denver continued its strong play and opened up its biggest lead of the game with a 15-6 run that gave the Pioneers a 46-30 advantage. Kansas cut Denver's lead to seven with a 9-0 run, but Denver got it right back after back-to-back baskets from junior Sarah Cyran (Broomfield, Colo.) and Neblett and a three-pointer from freshman Jamie Edwards (Woodinville, Wash.) that gave the Pioneers a 53-39 lead. Kansas got as close as 63-58 with just over two minutes to play, but Neblett hit all four of her free throws down the stretch as the Pioneers won its second straight after a three-game losing streak.

The win was Denver's first over a Big XII opponent since a 71-67 win over Colorado on Nov. 11, 1999.

"I'm really proud of this team," head coach Pam Tanner said. "Kansas is a really good ball club and for us to come out of here with a victory really says something about our team and the character we have. This is great for our confidence."

Denver is next in action on Sunday, Dec. 30 when it travels to take on Cal-State Northridge at 3 p.m. MST.

Wells Fargo Classic All-Tournament Team Colleen Fitzpatrick, Lafayette Rola Ogunoye, Texas-Arlington Jamie Edwards, Denver Ragan Neblett, Denver (Tournament MVP) Crystal Kemp, Kansas