DENVER - Despite a career-high 17 points from sophomore Theresa Wirth (Mesa, Ariz.) the Pioneers dropped a 68-60 decision to the Idaho Vandals on Thursday evening at Magness Arena. The loss moves Denver to 8-8 and 3-2 in WAC play, while the Vandals improve to 5-10 overall and 2-2 in WAC action.  

Junior forward Maiya Michel (Loma Linda, Calif.) was the only other Pioneer in double figures finishing with 10 points, while junior Alison Janecek (Omaha, Neb.) finished with a team-high eight rebounds and two blocks. Senior Emiko Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) finished with seven points, six assists and four steals.

Idaho was led by Alyssa Charlston who scored 17 points and had 14 rebounds. The Vandals also knocked down 80 percent (20-of-25) from the charity stripe.

"I'm so proud of this team and the way they fought back from being down early in this ball game," said head coach Kerry Cremeans. "Idaho is a great shooting team and they really played us tough tonight. Our team did a great job of matching their toughness, but we just couldn't finish down the stretch. This is a great learning experience for this young team."

The Pioneers got off to a slow start as Idaho came out of the gate and opened an 18-6 lead. With 11:51 remaining in the half DU turned up the defensive pressure and a deep three with the shot clock expiring from sophomore Jordan Johnston (Waterloo, Iowa) sparked a 14-1 run to give the Pioneers their first lead of the game with 4:30 remaining in the half at 20-19. Freshman Kailey Edwards (Broomfield, Colo.) led all first half scorers with seven points off the bench.  

The Vandals closed the half shooting 1-of-17. Idaho managed one field goal over the last 12:35 of the half. The DU bench provided a much needed spark outscoring Idaho 15-4 in the first half to give the Pioneers the 28-22 lead at the half.

DU opened the second half with back-to-back buckets to give the Pioneers their largest lead at 32-22. Idaho managed to tie the game at 38 on a 7-0 run, with 11:55 remaining. A little over three minutes later, with the game tied at 47, the Vandals Addie Schivo knocked down a three-pointer to give Idaho the lead for good.

Denver finished the game shooting 32 percent (24-of-75) to Idaho's 35.7 percent (20-of-56).

Denver will return to action Sunday when it hosts Seattle University. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT in Magness Arena.

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