Dec. 2, 2004

Final Stats

- Junior Venice Adams (Luling, La.) scored a career-high 20 points and pulled down 11 boards to record her first career double-double, but it was not enough as University of Denver women's basketball team fell to Fresno State, 72-58, on Thursday night in Magness Arena. The Pioneers fall to 0-4 on the season, while the Bulldogs improve to 4-0 for the first time since their 1974-1975 season.

"I was very impressed with Venice tonight," Head Coach Pam Tanner said. "Venice is a warrior. She is undersized to play in the post, but she gives it everything she's got and then some. Her effort is contagious and is important to this team."

Adams jump-started the Pioneers with six points in the first two minutes of the game to begin a quick 8-3 run. Fresno State's Brittani Green hit two layups to tie the score at 8-8, with 16:58 remaining in the half. Consecutive long-range buckets from the Bulldogs' Veronica Mack gave Fresno State a 20-12 lead with 10:32 left on the clock. A layup by freshman Jennifer Whetten (Evergreen, Colo.) and a bucket by freshman Brooke Meyer (Denver, Colo.) brought Denver within three points of the Bulldogs, putting the score at 24-21, with 7:59 left in the first half. Fresno State then went on a 10-1 run to extend their lead to 12. Meyer's second 3-point bucket and a pair of free throws by freshman Sara Benham (Muleshoe, Texas) left the Pioneers trailing 36-27, heading into the second half.

Benham led the way for the Pioneers in the second half, scoring eight points in the first four minutes of the stanza. Consecutive 3-pointers by Fresno State's Chantella Perera extended the Bulldog's lead to 12 with 13:50 remaining in the game. Meyer and Adams each hit a bucket to put the score at 53-43, before Fresno State opened a 10-0 run to leave the Pioneers trailing 63-43, with 7:52 left in the game.

Adams scored her career-high tying 15th point with a pair of free throws and a layup to put the score at 65-48, with 5:28 left in the game. She added five points in the last two minutes of the game, but the Bulldogs held on for the 72-58 win.

Adams led all scorers with 20 points and added 11 rebounds for her first career double-double. Benham also recorded her first collegiate double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Meyer and Fresno State's Mack and Green each added 11.

The Pioneers return to action next Monday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., when they face Washington in Magness Arena.