DENVER – Powered by a career-night from senior Kaetlyn Murdoch (Temple, Texas), the University of Denver women’s basketball team ran away with a 74-49 victory over the Wyoming Cowgirls Monday night in Magness Arena.

“I thought that our players did an amazing job of shutting down what they [Wyoming] love to do,” said head coach Erik Johnson. “We were able to take away the three point shot, we forced them to drive, forced them to put the ball on the floor and that made a big difference.”

Murdoch led all scorers with a career-high 28 points on 11-of-14 shooting and a perfect 6-of-6 from the foul line. She also added five rebounds and two assists. Junior Emiko Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) continued right where she left off Friday night, tallying a game-high seven assists. DU (2-0) had two double-figure scorers for the second straight game as sophomore Quincey Noonan (Broomfield, Colo.) complimented Murdoch’s career night by scoring 13 points.

Freshman Jordan Johnston (Waterloo, Iowa) also had a career-night in only her second collegiate game. After going scoreless in DU’s opener, the freshman tallied nine points and solidified DU’s victory with a barrage of baskets and a great defensive effort early in the second half.

The Pioneers’ win snaps a six-game losing streak in the all-time series to the Cowgirls (0-2) dating back to 2004, and is also Johnson’s first victory over the Mountain West Conference-foe since taking over at DU.

After trading buckets for nearly the entire first half, the Pioneers increased their marginal lead to 12 points as Noonan tallied eight during a 13-4 Denver scoring run late in the first half. Murdoch led all scorers with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting as Denver carried a 12-point advantage into halftime. Murdoch started the game on 4-for-4 from the field and led the Pioneers with 16 first half points.

After the Cowgirls drew first blood to open the second half on a long three from the key, the Pioneers increased their advantage and ultimately put the game away with a 17-9 scoring run.

Up next, the Pioneers take to the road for their first regional-rival game of the season Wednesday, as they take on Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo. at 7 p.m. MT.

Visit DenverPioneers.com for the most comprehensive coverage of Denver women’s basketball, as well as all of DU’s 17 athletic programs.

 

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