DENVER - University of Denver senior guard Britteni Rice (Pampa, Texas) and senior forward Brianna Culberson (Jefferson City, Mo.) both scored 15 points, but it was not enough as the Pioneers (9-6, 1-1 SBC) fell 49-46 to Sun Belt Conference foe Arkansas-Little Rock (8-5, 2-0 SBC) Sunday afternoon at Magness Arena.

"We made some great shots and found ways to score," said DU head coach Erik Johnson. "But in the end we just did not have enough to come away with a win."

Kaetlyn Murdoch (Temple, Texas) added 10 points for the Pioneers and recorded two blocks, placing her in a tie for second on the all-time DU blocked shots list with 191. Culberson led Denver with eight rebounds and sophomore guard Emiko Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) recorded six assists.

"Arkansas-Little Rock plays great defense and our defense was equally as good," Johnson added. "We move on, but now we are going to have to find a way to beat these guys."

Denver got out to an early lead following back-to-back three pointers from Culberson, but Arkansas-Little Rock was 5-of-10 (50.0 percent) from beyond the three-point arc in a first half, one that included eight lead changes. The Pioneers were 2-of-3 (66.7 percent) on their three-point attempts in the half and led by as many as five with 8:06 to play. However, the Trojans kept the game close, took the lead late, and sunk a three-pointer as time expired in the first half putting DU down 27-23 at intermission.

The Pioneers tied the game at 29-29 with 16:06 following a Rice baseline jumper, but the Trojans were able to open it up in the minutes that followed and led by as many as seven with 12:47 to play. Quincey Noonan (Broomfield, Colo.) drained a three pointer with 2:20 to play and got the Pioneers to within 47-46, but Denver was never able to regain the lead in the second half.

Denver out-rebounded Arkansas-Little Rock 29-22, and finished the day shooting 47.5 percent from the field compared to the Trojans' 38.8 percent.

Shanika Bulter led Arkansas-Little Rock with 14 points and Chastity Reed added 10 points. Marian Kush led the Trojans with six rebounds.

The defeat is the first for the Pioneers this season at home.

The Pioneers return to action Wednesday, Jan. 5 when they travel to Western Kentucky. Game time is set for 6 p.m. MT and fans can follow the game on Pioneer Vision, Live Stats and CoverItLive, all through www.DenverPioneers.com.

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