March 5, 2007

Box Score

LAFAYETTE, La. - The University of Denver women's basketball team's run in the Sun Belt Conference tournament ended on Monday afternoon at the Cajundome as No. 16 Middle Tennessee handed the Pioneers its first loss since Feb. 18, 76-50.

Denver (20-11) shot 60.0 percent from the field in the second half but could not overcome a 39-point deficit. DU had nine players score in the contest including 11 from sophomore Nnenna Akotaobi (Thornton, Colo.) and nine from freshman Brianna Culberson (Jefferson City, Mo.).

"Obviously Middle Tennessee didn't do anything different then they have all year," head coach Pam Tanner said. "They continue to press for 40 minutes and somebody is going to have to break the press and if you can't do that then you are going to have a hard time winning."

The Blue Raiders (28-3) opened the second half on a 9-0 run to pushed the lead to 25 points before junior Jenna Cole (Lincoln, Neb.) hit a three at the 17:00 mark. DU outscored MT 15-10 heading into the final media timeout at 3:55 to close the gap to 32 points.

In the first half, junior Sara Benham (Muleshoe, Texas) ended DU's scoring drought of 4:40 as she hit a short turnaround jumper. Despite DU's defense forcing two turnovers and coming up with some key steals, the Blue Raider full-court press proved too much for the Pioneers as MT led 43-17 at half. DU shot 30.4 percent from the field in the half but committed 15 turnovers and was outrebounded 15-to-12.

MT was led by SBC Player of the Year Chrissy Givens with 28 points and SBC Newcomer of the Year Amber Holt with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

DU returns home with its first 20-win season since 2000-01 and awaits news on the WNIT.