MISSOULA, Mont. - The University of Denver women's basketball team (3-4) fell 50-45 to the University of Montana (3-4) on Thursday evening in Dahlberg Arena in Missoula, Montana in front of 2,602 fans. Senior Britteni Rice (Pampa, Texas) led the Pioneers with 12 points, while senior Brianna Culberson (Jefferson City, Mo.) and junior Kaetlyn Murdoch (Temple, Texas) both added eight points.

"This one was a tough one to lose because we were up by as much as 14 in the second half," said head coach Erik Johnson. "We just did not make the right decisions and did not play as tough as we needed to in order to win this game. It's a hard one to swallow, but our team will learn from this and will have to bounce back because we play one of our toughest opponents on Sunday in Vanderbilt."

Starting for the first time this season, senior Abbey Leichliter (Jackson, Wyo.) grabbed a career-high eight rebounds and played a personal best 22 minutes, while Culberson and Murdoch grabbed seven and six rebounds, respectively.

Sophomore Emiko Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) led the Pioneers in the assists column, finishing with five helpers and two steals, while Rice tallied three steals and one assist.

With the score tied 7-7 with 14:37 remaining, Denver went on a 7-0 run that spanned just under five minutes to take a 14-7 advantage. The Lady Grizzlies responded with five quick points of their own to cut the Pioneers lead to two points, but a Smith jumper gave the Pioneers a four-point cushion with 4:26 remaining.

Denver extended its lead to six points as Michel converted a tough jumper in the paint, drawing the foul and the three-point play. However, Michel landed awkwardly following the foul and had to be subbed out, forcing Rice to sink the free throw and put the Pioneers up by seven.

After a jumper by the Lady Grizzlies, Denver closed out the half on a jumper by Culberson and Shell to take a 23-14 lead into the locker room.

The Pioneers continued to stretch their lead in the second half, pulling ahead by as much as 14 points with 11:49 remaining in the game. However, the Lady Grizzlies went on a 19-4 run that spanned 10 minutes to take a 44-43 lead with 1:06 left to play.

The Pioneers regained the lead on their next possession as Culberson made both her free throws. But it wasn't enough as the Lady Grizzlies scored six straight points to end the game 50-45.

Next up, the Pioneers return home to host Southeastern Conference powerhouse No. 22 Vanderbilt in Magness Arena on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.

Fans can purchase two tickets for just $12 to the game by contacting Director of Ticket Sales, Dan Wesolowski at 303-871-3682 or via email at Daniel.wesolowski@du.edu. Tickets must be purchased by Friday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.

- PIONEERS -