Dec. 3, 2006

Box Score

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Sophomore Andie Mason (Gilbert, Ariz.) posted a career-high 12 points and junior Jenna Cole (Lincoln, Neb.) added 17 as the University of Denver women's basketball team topped Colorado State, 65-53, Sunday afternoon in Fort Collins, Colo. The Pioneers won their second consecutive game to improve to 3-2, while CSU falls to 2-5.

"Every run they made we countered," head coach Pam Tanner said. "Whether it was offensively or defensively we did what we needed to do. Andie Mason hit two big shots. Jenna Cole was very important. She made key rebounds and baskets. Nnenna Akotaobi gave us a huge lift in the middle of the game. We got solid contributions from everyone and I could not be more proud."

After 11 lead changes and four ties, Denver went up 36-30 after Cole buried a three-pointer to go up 36-30. Colorado State tied it up with a three-pointer by Justine France. Sophomore Nnenna Akotaobi (Thornton, Colo.) had a huge block late in the half to hold the Pioneers lead at 44-40. Colorado State's Molly Moore hit a three-pointer to cut the Pioneers' lead to one, but Mason answered back at the opposite end of the court to push Denver's lead back to four. Mason drained her third three-pointer of the game to up Denver up 58-50.

Denver's defense came out strong in the first half, forcing four Colorado State turnovers before the first media time out. Cole came up with one of DU's nine steals and laid it in on the other end for the Pioneers' first basket of the game. DU cut CSU's lead to one on a three-pointer from the corner by Cole.

Lowery hit a lay-up to give the Pioneers their first lead of the game at 11-9. CSU got out to their largest lead of the half on a jumper by Emily Neal to go up four points. A three-pointer by Benham cut the Rams' lead to one. Denver went into the lockerroom at the half up 26-25 on a Lowery lay-up.

DU continues its road trip Tuesday, Dec. 5 as they take on Boise State in Boise, Idaho, at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on www.denverpioneers.com FREE!

Game Notes: Denver forced 18 Ram turnovers, scoring 19 points off the turnovers...Denver held CSU scoreless in the last 4:33 of the game...Sara Benham, Tyesha Lowery, and Alisha Godette each had eight points...Godette pulled down a game-high seven rebounds...Cole, Benham, Brooke Meyer and Godette each had two steals...DU posted back-to-back wins against CSU for the first time since 1978-79.