MIAMI, Fla. The University of Denver women’s basketball team overcame a 14-point deficit to tie the game, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Florida International, falling 68-57, in the opening round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Wednesday evening in Pharmed Arena.

 

“I give Florida International a ton of credit,” head coach Pam Tanner said. “They shot the lights out in their home gym, particularly in the first half. We made a nice run in the second half to grab a lead but we just weren’t able to hold on to it.”

 

Denver led by as many as four early after junior Andie Mason (Gilbert, Ariz.) drained a three. FIU went on a 9-2 run to pull out to a seven point lead. Denver pulled to within five twice but Florida International’s offense stayed hot, hitting 50.0 percent from the field in the half.

 

Denver was down by nine but a layup by senior Alisha Godette (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and back-to-back free throws by junior Nnenna Akotaobi (Thornton, Colo.) pulled the Pioneers within five. FIU closed out the half on a 7-0 run, as DU trailed 35-23 at half.

 

Denver shot 36.4 percent from the field at half, with eight points from Godette and seven from Akotaobi.

 

Denver started the second half on a 7-2 run to pull within seven of the Golden Panthers with 15:59 remaining in the game and forced FIU to take a time out. Senior Sara Benham (Muleshoe, Texas) scored four points for DU in the run.

 

The run continued after the timeout as the Pioneers tied up the game on free throws by Godette. A layup by Bents at 12:11 gave DU its first lead since 14:36 in the first half.

 

A 7-2 run by FIU put the Golden Panthers back up by six. Akotaobi hit back-to-back free throws and junior Celena Otero (Aurora, Colo.) hit her second three of the half to pull the Pioneers within one.

 

Denver pulled within one at 53-52 but FIU hit back-to-back layups to take a five point lead and FIU’s Iva Cigar hit consecutive free throws to secure the win for Florida International.

 

Godette had her fourth double-double of the season with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Akotaobi and Benham added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Junior Sara Bents (Billings, Mont.) had 10 rebounds in the contest.

 

Bosilj was the leading scorer in the game with 25 points for FIU.

 

Denver concludes the regular season 11-19 overall and 6-12 in the Sun Belt Conference. Florida International (13-17, 8-10 SBC) advances to the quarterfinals of the SBC Tournament in Mobile, Ala., on Saturday, March 9.