Box Score Dec. 11, 2004
Final Stats
Senior guard Tasha Jones (San Antonio, Texas) scored 14 points to lead the University of Denver, but it was not enough as the Pioneers relinquished a 67-58 decision to Northern Arizona at the Rolle Activity Center in Flagstaff, Ariz. Denver falls to 0-6, while Northern Arizona improved to 6-2 on the season.
The Lumberjacks quickly built a 20-point lead in the second half scoring back-to-back 3-pointers just four minutes in to the period. The home team built its lead to 25 points before Denver put together a 9-0 run to get the score back to 57-41. Freshman Cassondra Bratton capped the Pioneer run with her second 3-pointer of the game. The Pioneers continued to chip away at the deficit, and came within 10 points when Tasha Jones (San Antonio, Texas) sunk her third 3-pointer of the game to get the score to 64-54 with 1:30 to play. For the fifth game of the season, the Pioneers outscored their opponent in the second half, notching a 37-31advantage.
Jones led the team with 14 points, while Bratton and junior forward Venice Adams added 12 points apiece. Bratton shot 5-10 from the field, including 2-3 from long range. Megan Rice led all scorers with 15 points.
"We play much better when we are down by 15 points," Head Coach Pam Tanner said. "We didn't come out with the same intensity level that I have become accustomed to expect from our freshmen. However, I am very proud of the way Cassondra played. She had a lot of intensity and did a great job offensively."
NAU ended the first half on an 8-0 run to earn a 15-point lead at the intermission (36-21). The Pioneers did not find the net in the final three minutes of the half, and shot 37.5 percent for the period. After falling behind 24-15, Denver rallied to come within five points at 26-21 at the four minute mark. Tasha Jones made a driving layup to close the gap to five.
The Pioneers return home to host Northern Colorado on Wednesday Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., at Magness Arena. The game will be aired live on KCKK 1600 AM with Mary Kay Mauro calling the action.
