Feb. 21, 2004

Box Score

The University of Denver women's basketball team lost to New Mexico State 49-47, Saturday at the Pan American Center. Denver fell to 12-13, 5-8, while NMSU improved to 11-14, 5-8.

After turning in a season low 20 points in the first half, Denver stormed back with an 18-2 run in the second stanza to earn a 38-34 lead. But, the home team fought back and was able to regain a narrow margin before escaping with the win.

"We had a five-point lead after trailing by 12 and we didn't close the deal," Denver Head Coach Pam Tanner said. "I'm proud of how we battled - we gave a great effort, but we just made a couple mistakes in a row and that lost the game. It's a hard game to lose. We are still in contention to go to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, but we will have to win our last two games."

Denver's second-half run was led by Tyesha Lowery (Arlington, Texas) who hit two three pointers in the surge, one to spark the run and one to finish it. Freshman guard Jamie Edwards (Woodinville, Wash.) buried a three pointer to put the Pioneers ahead for the first time of the game at 36-34. Edwards scored the next two points from the free throw line to get the score to 38-34.

Tasha Jones (San Antonio, Texas) earned a layup in traffic to give Denver its largest lead of the game at five points (43-38) with nine minutes to play. New Mexico State tied the game at 38 points and went ahead 44-43 using a 10-5 run. The home team continued it assault to take a 47-45 lead with four minutes to play. Jones tied the game at 47 on a short jumper on the right side. Sinnamonn Garrett scored a short jumper to give the Aggies a 49-47 lead.

With 1:15 on the clock, Denver regained possession after a defensive stop. Jones' jumper in traffic went off the front rim and, although the Pioneers got the rebound, it went sailing over the midcourt line, causing a turnover. On the ensuing inbound, Denver had five fouls to give and went for the steal, but settled for a defensive stop with just seconds on the clock. Denver did not get off a final shot before the clock expired.

In a closely contested start to the game, New Mexico State inched ahead 6-2 before Denver tied the game. The Aggies surged on a 13-4 run to go ahead 19-10 with six minutes to play in the half. Denver responded with six straight points to get within three points at 19-16. The Aggies finished the half on a 9-4 run to go to the locker room leading 28-20. Denver recorded its lowest halftime total of 20 points on 10-22 shooting from the field.

Jones led the Pioneers with nine points; Stephanie Hart (Shoreline, Wash.), Lowery and Edwards each contributed eight points. Nicole Black led the Aggies with 17 points, and Sinnamonn Garrett finished with 15 points.

Denver falls into a three-way tie for fourth in the Sun Belt Conference West Division standings with New Mexico State and New Orleans. The Pioneers will complete the regular season with two games at home next week, first hosting South Alabama on Thursday (2/26), followed by New Orleans on Sunday (2/28).