Jan. 13, 2005

Final Stats

Junior forward Venice Adams (Luling, La.) scored a career-high 21 points but it was not enough as the University of Denver women's basketball team lost a Sun Belt Conference West Division game to North Texas, 69-58, Thursday at the Super Pit. Denver falls to 2-12, 0-2 while UNT improves to 7-7, 2-0.

After trailing by just one point at the end of the first period, Denver relinquished a 15-4 run to start the second half that spelled defeat for the Pioneers. Denver shot an improved 39.7 percent from the field, but North Texas was 41.4 percent and 80 percent from the free throw line.

"We spotted them 14 points to start the game and then it was an uphill battle the rest of the way," Head Coach Pam Tanner said. "It was a frustrating loss because we had the ability to compete and have a chance to win this game. Tasha played well and Venice continued to be aggressive and play well. Sarah Cyran had a great second half, but we need all eight players to come out ready to play every night, and we have got to learn that as a team."

North Texas opened the second half much like the first with a 15-4 run that gave the home team a 44-32 lead with 13 minutes to play. Kennethia Wilson drained back-to-back 3-pointers to cap the Mean Green run. Trailing by 12 points, the Pioneers scored six straight points and completed a 8-2 run to close to within eight points with 11 minutes to play. Sarah Cyran scored nine straight points to get the Pioneers within three points (55-52) with five minutes to play, but UNT mounted a 10-2 run to earn an 11-point advantage and the Pioneers could not overcome the deficit.

After falling behind 14-0 to start the contest, Tasha Jones got the Pioneers back into the game, scoring seven points in a 11-2 Denver run that cut the margin to 17-11. Erika Bobo drained a three pointer to end a three minute scoring drought for the Mean Green, but Denver continued its assault with a 10-0 run that earned the Pioneers their first lead of the game. Sara Benham grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and nailed a short jumper off the glass at 6:32 to make the score 21-20. North Texas ended a five minute scoreless period to put in seven straight points to re-take the lead at 27-21 before Denver ended the half on a 7-2 spurt to go to the locker room trailing by just one point (29-28).

Denver returns home to host Florida International on Martin Luther King Day January 17, 2004 in a matinee at 2 p.m., in Magness Arena.