Dec. 18, 2004

Box Score

DENVER - Senior Tasha Jones (San Antonio, Texas) scored 18 points to lead four Pioneers in double figures as the University of Denver defeated the University of Tennessee-Martin, 64-41, on Saturday in Magness Arena in the first round of the Wells Fargo Pioneer Classic. The win was the fourth time this season that at least three Pioneers have scored in double figures, and the first time for players have accomplished that feat. The win boosts Denver's record to 2-6, and drops the Skyhawks' record to 1-7.

"I was proud of the way we executed our game plan today," head coach Pam Tanner said. "We did good things on both ends of the floor, and our energy was consistent through 40 minutes. Tasha has been on fire the last two games and shot very well today. When we can get the outside game going, it helps our inside game."

Denver converted a season-high 11 three pointers and shot 41.4 percent from the field to earn their second victory in as many tries. After leading 30-22 at the half, the Pioneers continued to outscore the visitors 34-19 in the second period.

Freshman point guard Brooke Meyer (Denver, Colo.) hit a long-range bucket, followed by another from Jones to extend Denver's lead to 14, just over two minutes into the second half. The basket marked Jones' fifth of the game to tie her career high. Two baskets by Meyer and another from freshman Jennifer Whetten (Evergreen, Colo.) gave the Pioneers a 48-29 lead, with 12:40 remaining in the game. A 3-point bucket from Whetten sparked a 10-0 run by the Pioneers, putting them ahead 58-33, with 7:17 left to play. The Skyhawk's Danielle Page hit a jumper and layup with under four minutes to play to try and put Tennessee-Martin back in the game, but tough defense by Denver stopped the effort. The Pioneers only committed five turnovers in the second half.

Jones led all scorers with 18 points, while teammate Meyer added 14, Whetten dropped in 12, and Adams tallied 10. Adams also pulled down nine boards. Denver set a season high, making 11 baskets and shooting 39 percent (11-28) from beyond the arc. The Pioneers shot 41 percent (24-58) from the field, while holding the Bears to just 38 percent (17-48). The Pioneers committed seven steals and four blocks, forcing Tennessee-Martin to commit 19 turnovers.

In the first half, Denver senior Sarah Cyran (Broomfield, Colo.) hit a pair of free throws and a layup to begin the game. The Pioneers' leading scorer, senior Venice Adams (Luling, La.) sunk a bucket to put the score at 6-5, with 16:35 left in the first half. Tennessee-Martin then took advantage of sloppy shooting by the Pioneers and went on a 9-0 run to take a 14-6 lead. Denver got back into the game by three consecutive long-range buckets from Jones and put the Pioneers ahead 23-18, with 6:05 remaining. The Pioneers continued on their offensive push and finished a 16-2 run to leave the Skyhawks trailing 30-20, with 1:41 left to play. Tennessee-Martin's Deina Willingham hit a basket with under a minute remaining to put the score at 30-22, and end the half.

Earlier in the day, Janielle Dodds scored 23 points and pulled down 11 boards to lead Southern Methodist University to a 66-46 win over the University of Texas-San Antonio in the first game of the University of Denver Wells Fargo Classic. Texas-San Antonio started strong, leading for most of the first half before Southern Methodist took control. Dodds led all scorers with 23 points, while teammate Sarah Davis added 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Mustangs had 15 steals and forced the Roadrunners to commit 22 turnovers in the game. Southern Methodist shot 38 percent (26-69) from the field, while San Antonio managed only 27 percent (18-68).

The second round of the University of Denver Wells Fargo Classic will take place tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 19, when Texas-San Antonio faces Tennessee-Martin in the consolation round, tipping off at noon. Denver will face Southern Methodist in the championship game at approximately 2 p.m.