Feb. 1, 2003

Box Score

LAFAYETTE, LA. - The University of Denver women's basketball team buried 11 of 19 three point attempts to earn a 69-59 victory over the University of Louisiana-Lafayette in a Sun Belt Conference West Division match-up Saturday at Early K. Long Gym. Denver remained first in the division and improved to 12-10, 6-2 on the season, while UL-Lafayette fell to 4-14, 1-7.

Ashley Atkinson (Springfield, Mo./Kickapoo) stepped up to hit two critical three pointers in the second half to end UL-Lafayette come back hopes. After the Cajuns cut the lead to seven points, Atkinson responded. She did the same with under a minute to play when ULL increased its defensive pressure in an attempt to get back in the contest.

"We go off to a good start tonight," head coach Pam Tanner said. "We executed the game plan very well for the most part. We let them back into the game a few times, but someone found a way to step up and make a play each time. This is a good win for us."

Ragan Neblett (Arvada, Colo./Pomona) was responsible for the fast start for the Pioneers, scoring eight points, including six straight to lead the Pioneers on a 13-4 run midway through the first half. Denver broke open a 13-point lead (25-12) with the fast start. The Lady Cajuns came back to within 10 points with a 9-6 surge, and finished the half trailing by that margin 38-28. The Pioneers shot 45.2 percent from the field in the first period on the strength of Neblett's 4-5 shooting, including 3-3 from long range.

The Pioneers started the second half with a barrage of threes capped by two from Neblett to give Denver a 17-point lead (52-35) just five minutes into the period. The Lady Cajuns responded with a 11-1 run to cut the lead to seven points with11:35 to play, but Atkinson immediately put the Pioneers back on top by 10 points with a three pointer from the right corner. Denver held off the Cajuns to earn a 69-59 win on the road.

Neblett and Tasha Jones (San Antonio, Texas/Holmes) led the team with 19 points apiece, and Atkinson added 14. The Cajuns were led by Charlotte Green with 15 points, and Bernette Tolston added 12.

The Pioneers return home to host Western Kentucky on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., at Magness Arena.