SAN JOSE, Calif. - The University of Denver women's basketball team (2-5) downed the San Jose State Spartans (1-7) 66-61 on Sunday afternoon in the Events Center in San Jose, Calif., as five Pioneers finished in double figures.

"It was a great team effort from today and I couldn't be more proud of the way this team bounced back from a tough loss yesterday to play an even tougher team today," said head coach Erik Johnson. "Our freshmen, Emiko Smith and Sarah Feeney stepped up big tonight, providing key buckets and assists down the stretch."

Junior Britteni Rice (Pampa, Texas) and sophomore Kaetlyn Murdoch (Temple, Texas) led the Pioneers with 15 points apiece, while senior Ashly Robinson (Bloomington, Minn.) added 12. Finishing in double figures for the first time this season was freshman Sarah Feeney (Bismarck, N.D.) as she tallied 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the floor, 2-of-4 from long distance.

Junior Brianna Culberson (Jefferson City, Mo.) rounded out the double digit scoring for Denver with 10 points. Freshman point guard Emiko Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) turn in a solid performance as she finished with four assists and three steals.

San Jose State's Samantha Marez led the way for the Spartans with 19 points, while Shaunna Ridge added 15.

Down by three heading into the locker room, the Pioneers allowed the Spartans to score four quick points to start the second half before going on a 7-0 run to tie the game, 38-38.

After both teams exchanged points, the Spartans regained the advantage off a jumper by Ridge and held on to it until the 10:51 mark when Feeney drilled a key three-pointer to put Denver up 44-43.

The game seesawed back and forth for the next six minutes until Rice drained two free throws with 4:01 left to give Denver a two-point cushion and a 58-56 lead. The Pioneers did not relinquish their advantage throughout the rest of the game, stretching it by as much as five points.

The Pioneers conclude their six-game road trip on Wednesday, Dec. 9 as they travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., to take on the Air Force Falcons for a 7 p.m. game. The game will be available via Pioneer Vision and Live Stats.

Pioneer Notes:

• Sophomore Kaetlyn Murdoch extended her consecutive games with one or more blocks to 14 games and her consecutive games with double figure points to 10.
• The Pioneers had five scorers in double figures for the first time this season. (Robinson-13, Murdoch-15, Culberson-10, Rice-15, Feeney-11)
• Of Robinson's 12 total points, 10 came in the second half as she went 3-of-4 from the field and 4-of-5 from the line.
• Of Rice's 15 points, 13 came in the second half. The guard went 8-of-9 from the line in the final 20 minutes.
• For the game, the Pioneers shot 51.2 percent from the floor and 71.4 percent from three-point range.
• Denver recorded 17 assists, compared to San Jose States' 11.

- PIONEERS -