Jan. 27, 2007

Box Score

DENVER - The University of Denver women's basketball team pulled to within three points late in the game against Western Kentucky on Saturday afternoon, but the Lady Toppers proved to be a tough opponent, as DU fell 73-68 in Hamilton Gymnasium. Denver lost its first game at home this season and fell to 12-8 overall and 7-4 in the Sun Belt Conference while Western Kentucky improved to 14-5 and 8-2.

"It was a frustrating loss," head coach Pam Tanner said. "We played well offensively and overall played with a lot of effort and intensity. It was heartbreaking to lose that way. We missed a couple of opportunities defensively to take control of the game and give us the win."

Senior Tyesha Lowery (Arlington, Texas) had a career-high 24 points and added six assitsts. Juniors Alisha Godette (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jenna Cole (Lincoln, Neb.) scored 11 and 10 points, respectively. Godette added nine rebounds.

"I did not play as tentative as I have before," said Lowery. "When we got close I think it was the mental mistakes that we made that kept us from getting the win."

Freshman Brianna Culberson (Jefferson City, Mo.) and Lowery had lay-ins on consecutive trips down the court to put DU within one with 9:11 remaining in the game, but the Lady Toppers answered with a three to pull back out to a four-point lead. WKU's Crystal Kelly scored four straight points for the Lady Toppers, part of Western Kentucky's 48 points in the paint.

Denver started the second half trailing by as many as eight but got within three on a three-pointer by sophomore Nnenna Akotaobi (Thornton, Colo.) before WKU got back out to a five-point lead. Cole pushed DU back into the game, with a three and a jumper on back-to-back possessions for the Pioneers to stay within three of the Lady Toppers.

In the first half, Denver trailed by as many as eight points but clawed back to get within five at the break, going to the locker room down 32-27. Lowery had four points in the last 2:40 of the half. WKU scored 22 of its first half points in the paint, while DU had 10.

DU hits the road to take on SBC leader No. 19 Middle Tennessee (18-3, 10-0 SBC East) on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. The game can be heard live on www.denverpioneers.comwith Mitch Hyder and calling the action.