DENVER - University of Denver senior forward Kaetlyn Murdoch (Temple, Texas) scored 10 points and recorded three blocks to become DU's all-time block leader as the Pioneers took down Western Kentucky 69-62 at Magness Arena on Sunday afternoon. DU improves to 11-8 (3-2 SBC) on the season. The Hilltoppers fall to 5-12 (3-3 SBC) with the loss.

Murdoch was one of five Pioneers to score in double-figures as freshman guard Morgan Van Riper-Rose (Eden Prairie, Minn.) had 13 points, junior guard Emiko Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) and freshman guard Jordan Johnston (Waterloo, Iowa) each added 11 points and sophomore guard Quincey Noonan (Broomfield, Colo.) recorded 10 points for Denver.

"It was a really nice team effort. This was not a game about coaching, but about the players," said head coach Erik Johnson. "Western Kentucky is extremely athletic and they put some pressure on us, but our players were able to step up and make big plays."

Smith tied her season high with nine assists, while Noonan grabbed a team-best eight rebounds in the win.

 

The Pioneers traded baskets with the Hilltoppers to begin the contest, but grabbed a 12-11 lead following a jumper from redshirt-junior guard Morgan Shell (Marble Falls, Texas) with 13:34 to play. Denver took its largest lead of the half following two Murdoch free throws with 17 seconds to play to make it 35-25 Pioneers. Smith led the Crimson and Gold with eight points in the half as Denver shot a blazing 59.3 percent (16-of-27) from the field and led 35-27 at halftime.

DU continued to build on its lead during the second half, taking an 18 point advantage after a layup from sophomore forward Maiya Michel (Loma Linda, Calif.) with 12:59 to play. WKU climbed back into the game, cutting Denver's lead to seven at the 3:47 mark and then to six with less than a minute to go, but the Pioneers answered the Hilltoppers' surge, knocking down crucial free throws down the stretch, including two from Van Riper-Rose.

Denver shot 53.6 percent (30-of-56) from the floor and 2-of-7 (28.6 percent) from beyond the three-point arc. WKU was 23-of-61 (37.7 percent) for the game and shot 25.0 percent (3-of-12) on its three-point attempts.

The Crimson and Gold were 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) from the free-throw line compared the Hilltoppers' 13-of-17 (76.5 percent).

Murdoch now has 260 blocks for her career. She surpassed Michaela Pavilickova mark of 258 that she accumulated from 1997-01.

LaTiera Owens scored 18 points and brought down 11 rebounds to lead Western Kentucky.

The Pioneers begin a two-game road trip on Thursday against Louisiana-Monroe. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. MT and fans can follow the action through Pioneer Radio and Live Blog, both available at DenverPioneers.com.

-PIONEERS-