MOBILE, Ala. - Freshman Emiko Smith's (Los Angeles, Calif.) last second three-pointer lifted the University of Denver women's basketball team (16-12, 11-6 SBC) over the South Alabama Jaguars (14-15, 9-9 SBC), 64-61 on Wednesday night in the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Ala.

Sophomore Kaetlyn Murdoch (Temple, Texas) tied her career-high of 25 points, shooting 84.6 percent from the floor (11-of-13) to go along with six rebounds, two assists and one block. Also finishing in double figures for the Pioneers was junior Brianna Culberson (Jefferson City, Mo.) as she added 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists, one of which was to Smith for the game-winning three-pointer.

Smith finished the night with eight points, five rebounds and six assists. Coming off the bench, freshman Sarah Feeney (Bismarck, N.D.) finished with seven points while also grabbing five rebounds and dishing out two assists.

As a team, Denver shot a season-high 63.2 percent from the floor (24-of-38) and out rebounded the Jaguars 39 to 17. Denver's previous high from the floor was 57.8 percent against the Colorado State Rams (11/18/09).

It was a back-and-fourth battle throughout the second half, seeing six lead changes. With the score tied 59-59 with 53 seconds remaining, Culberson sank both her free throws to lift the Pioneers 61-59. But Christian Shelter drained her fifth jumper of the night to tie the score for the seventh time with six seconds left.

Coming out of the timeout, Robinson inbounded the ball to Culberson who was cutting across the court. Culberson crossed the half court stripe, finding an open Smith in the far right corner. With one second on the clock, Smith drained her second three-pointer of the night to give the Pioneers the advantage and eventually seal the Pioneers 11th SBC win of the season.

Shakira Nettles led the Jaguars with 23 points, while Shelter finished with 21.

Denver closes out the regular season at home on Saturday as it welcomes the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns to Magness Arena. The Pioneers will honor their two seniors, Ashly Robinson and Anne Jasperson, prior to the 1:30 p.m. tip-off. The game will also be available on Pioneer Vision and via Live Stats at www.DenverPioneers.com.

Tickets range from $8-11 and DU students get in free with a valid ID. For more information visit www.TicketMaster.com or call 800-745-3000.

Pioneer Notes:

• With her 25 points, Murdoch extends her consecutive games in double figures to 18 games. She has led the Pioneers in scoring in 12 games so far this season. Her 20-plus-point performance marks the sixth time this season that she has finished with such a performance.
• Murdoch also finished the night with one block for her eighth consecutive game with one or more blocks.
• Smith finished the night with six assists for her 14th game with multiple assists. Smith has led the Pioneers in assists in 21 games this season.
• Denver held the edge in assists (18-to-9).

 

- PIONEERS -