Jan. 14, 2006

Box Score

DENVER - The University of Denver women's basketball team rolled to its third straight win and into first place in the Sun Belt Conference west division with a 50-45 victory over Florida International Saturday afternoon. Senior Venice Adams (Luling, La.) led all DU scorers with 14 points and Tyesha Lowery (Arlington, Texas) added 13 as the Pioneers improved to 9-6 overall and 3-1 within the Sun Belt. The loss was Florida International's first in conference play, bringing the Panther record to 9-6 overall, 2-1 in the SBC.

In addition to Saturday marking Denver's third straight win, it also marked Adams' third straight game with a double-double. The senior forward's team-leading 14 points combined with a career-high 17 rebounds, 13 of which were on defense. The career mark by Adams' is a clear indication that DU's key to success has been a tenacious defense that continues to frustrate opponents.

"This has been a big week for us, beating the top teams on both the west and east side of the Sun Belt," said Pioneer head coach Pam Tanner. "Venice got her third double-double and played an absolutely incredible game. Being the only senior on the team, she has fallen into her role as a leader and it really has had a positive effect on how well we're playing together as a team."

With the score tied at 27 apiece at the beginning of the second half, the Pioneer defense turned up heat on FIU, preventing the Panthers from any consistency on offense, while launching an 8-3 run. Florida International's first three buckets of the half came over three minutes apart, while Denver stretched its lead to seven. With one minute remaining, the Panthers cut the Pioneer lead to two off back-to-back baskets by FIU leading scorer Lasma Jekabsone. DU's Adams answered right back with a layup, followed by two free throws to give Denver a six-point advantage to at 48-42.

With seven seconds left, FIU's LaQuetta Ferguson hit a desperation three, but a well-designed inbound play by Tanner kept the Panthers at bay when Brooke Meyer (Denver, Colo.) launched the ball down court to an open Lowery, who converted a layup to seal Denver's victory.

The win over FIU is the first since March 5, 2001 for Denver and only the fourth in 10 all-time meetings between the two schools. The Panthers could only muster a .288 field goal percentage on 19-of-66 shooting, while Denver hit 19-of-47 for 40.4 percent.

Next up, the Pioneers head back on the road to face Arkansas State Jan. 19 at 5 p.m., followed by Arkansas Little-Rock Jan. 21 at 3:30 p.m.