DENVER Junior guard Andie Mason (Gilbert, Ariz.) scored a game-high 11 points, while Celena Otero (Aurora, Colo.) and Brianna Culberson (Jefferson City, Mo.) both added 10 as the University of Denver women’s basketball defeated UC Davis (1-1) 64-50 Friday night in Hamilton Gymnasium. In winning their first game of the 2008-09 season, the Pioneers gave head coach Erik Johnson the first win of his career. DU improves to 1-1.

 

“I think we did a great job of executing our game plan tonight, even though we had some lapses at certain points,” Johnson said. “Our players showed a great deal of character against a quality opponent. We had a balanced effort on offense that really helped us to work together as team. Tonight was a great team win for the Pioneers.”

 

Mason led a balanced DU scoring attack, which featured nine different players in the scoring column. Lisa Peterson led UC Davis with 10 points.

 

In a close game that featured five lead changes, the game was knotted at 49-49 with 3:29 remaining when Culberson converted a layup underneath for a 51-49 DU lead. Following a UC Davis miss on a 3-pointer, Britteni Rice (Pampa, Texas) converted a pair of free throws for a 53-49 DU advantage.

 

Courtney French made one of two free throws for UC Davis to cut DU’s lead to 53-50 with 2:19 left. Otero then hit the biggest basket of the night for Denver, a game-clinching 3-pointer as the shot clock was winding down that gave the Pioneers a commanding 56-50 lead. UC Davis would not score again in the contest as the Pioneers ended the game on a 11-0 run.

 

Culberson led the Pioneers with six rebounds and six assists to go along with her 10 points.

 

Denver led 35-29 at halftime after shooting a blistering 60 percent from the field (15-for-25). Robinson was 4-for-4 and led the Pioneers with eight points at the break.

 

Denver returns to action on Monday, Nov. 24 as it hosts the Nebraska Huskers at 7 p.m. in Magness Arena.

 

- PIONEERS -