DENVER - The University of Denver women's basketball team's (10-6, 5-1 SBC) nine-game winning streak came to an end on Sunday afternoon in Magness Arena as the Pioneers fell 73-70 to the Western Kentucky HIlltoppers (8-7, 2-2 SBC). This marks the first loss for the Pioneers this season in Sun Belt Conference play.

Sophomore Kaetlyn Murdoch (Temple, Texas) led the Pioneers with 20 points and seven blocks, while junior Brianna Culberson (Jefferson City, Mo.) set a new career-high with 17 points. Junior Britteni Rice (Pampa, Texas) rounded out the double-figure scoring for the Pioneers as she finished with 13.

The Hilltoppers used a 14-0 run that began with 27 seconds remaining in the first half and spanned over six minutes in the second half to swing the momentum. Western Kentucky held on to the lead throughout the rest of the second half, stretching its advantage by as much as 10 points twice.

The Pioneers did make it a close game down the stretch as Rice hit a three-pointer with .5 second left to pull within one, 71-70 of the Hilltoppers. However, two free-throws by WKU's Kenzie Rich made it a three-point game and sealed the win for the Hilltoppers.

Four players finished in double figures for the Hilltoppers as Dominique Duck led the way with 18 point.

Next up, the Pioneers travel to Louisiana for a two-game road swing that includes a 6 p.m. game against the ULL Ragin Cajuns on Wednesday, Jan. 13 and an 11 a.m. game against the ULM Warhawks on Sunday, Jan. 17. Both games will be available on Pioneer Vision and via Live Stats on www.DenverPioneers.com.

Pioneer Notes:

• With 13 points, Rice has now scored in double figures in 11 consecutive games for the Pioneers.
• Murdoch extended her consecutive games with one or more blocks to 23 games as she finished the day with seven.
• Culberson's 17 points extends her consecutive games with double figures to 16 and sets a new career-high for the forward. Culberson has finished in double figures in each of the Pioneers' game this season.
• Ashly Robinson's six assists sets a new season high for the senior.
• The loss snaps Denver's nine-game winning streak. The streak was the sixth time in program history that a team has won nine or more consecutive games. Denver's longest winning streak is 19 games, which was set during the 1992-93 season from Dec. 12, 1992 to March 4, 1993.
• Denver held the edge in rebounds (35 to 33) and blocks (8 to 3).

- PIONEERS -