Jan. 6, 2007

Box Score

DENVER - The University of Denver women's basketball team held Louisiana-Monroe to just 17.2 percent shooting from the floor Saturday afternoon, as the Pioneers dropped the Warhawks 51-33 in Hamilton Gymnasium in Sun Belt Conference action. Denver improved to 7-6 overall and 2-2 in the SBC, while ULM fell to 11-5 and 1-4.

"It was a big conference win for us," head coach Pam Tanner said. "We continue to protect our home court which is incredibly important in conference play."

DU's defense forced 21 turnovers, recorded 11 steals and nine blocks in the win. Junior Sara Benham (Muleshoe, Texas) registered 14 points, while junior Alisha Godette (Colorado Springs, Colo.) pulled down 11 rebounds and added eight points.

"Benham and Godette gave us huge offensive production and defensive contributions. Ty was a great floor general and Jenna Cole did it all. Anytime you have four players making solid contributions you will win a game. If I had to pick a highlight of the game it was that our defense played stellar."

Junior Jenna Cole (Lincoln, Neb.) recorded five rebounds, five points, four assists, a block and four steals.

DU went on an 11-0 run early in the second half, increasing the Pioneers' lead to as many as 14 points. Late in the second half, Benham recorded nine points, part of an 14-3 Pioneer run, as DU pulled away for the win.

Trailing by four in the first half, junior Brooke Meyer (Denver, Colo.) hit a three-pointer to put Denver within one point of ULM. Benham tied the game up at 7-7, hitting a free throw. Senior Tyesha Lowery (Arlington, Texas) gave the Pioneers' their first lead of the game hitting a short jumper to go up 9-7.

Denver held Monroe without a field goal for over 12 minutes in the first half. During the Warhawks drought, DU went on a 16-0 run, while ULM committed six turnovers. ULM closed out the first half on an 8-2 run, but the Pioneers went into the locker room at half up 22-17.

DU (7-6, 2-2) travels to Denton, Texas, to take on North Texas (4-8, 1-1) in SBC action Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. MT.