BOZEMAN, Mont. The University of Denver women’s basketball team shot 55.9 percent from the field and recorded 51 points in the second half but it was not enough as the Pioneers fell to Montana State, 81-69, Saturday evening at Worthington Arena in Bozeman, Mont.

 

Senior Sara Benham (Muleshoe, Texas) led the way for DU with 12 points and three rebounds, while senior Alisha Godette (Colorado Springs, Colo.) had 11 points and four boards. Junior Sara Bents (Billings, Mont.) had a career-high 10 points.

 

It was the first time since Feb. 27, 1999 that the Denver Pioneers (3-5) scored at least 50 points in a half with the last being 54 against Texas-Pan American.

 

Denver’s defense started the second half with back-to-back steals by senior Brooke Meyer (Denver, Colo.) and the offense got six quick points from senior Sara Benham (Muleshoe, Texas) but DU could only pull within eight of the Bobcats (4-4). MSU led by as many as 26 in the second half. The Pioneers closed out the game on a 14-6 run.

 

The Pioneers came out slow in the first half, trailing by as many as 12 points during the half. Denver pulled to within seven points late, but the Bobcats went into the lockerroom up 29-18 at half.

 

The Pioneers shot 26.9 percent from the floor in the opening frame, while MSU hit 44.4. Denver pulled down 18 rebounds, just one behind Montana State, but committed nine turnovers in the opening stanza. Senior Jenna Cole (Lincoln, Neb.) led DU with five points in the half, while Meyer added four.

 

Junior Andie Mason (Gilbert, Ariz.) set a career-high with three steals and Meyer led all players with four.

 

Denver returns home to face Dartmouth in nonconfernece action on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. The Pioneers open Sun Belt Conference play on Saturday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. against North Texas.