NORMAL, Ill. – Led by four double-digit performances, the University of Denver women’s basketball team topped the Illinois State Redbirds 67-60 on the road at Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill., on Monday night. The win is the second for the Pioneers on the season, bringing them to 2-11 overall.

“One of our goals was to limit ISU on the offensive boards and we did that tonight,” said head coach Kerry Cremeans. “I am so proud of this team and how they played together.”

Sophomore Paige Bradley (The Woodlands, Texas) led the Pioneers in scoring with 18 points off 6-of-11 shooting from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the three-point arc. Bradley also grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists, while also securing a career-high four steals.

Junior Jordan Johnston (Waterloo, Iowa) finished with 16 points off the bench, collecting seven of her 16 from the charity stripe. Sophomore Kailey Edwards (Broomfield, Colo.) chipped in with 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, while senior Desiree Hunter (Cypress, Calif.) posted her first career double-double with 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Hunter also finished with a career-high four blocks.

Denver finished the night shooting 43.1 percent (22-of-51) from the field and 42.9 percent (6-of-14) from three-point range.

Chloe Nelson led the Pioneers with 15 points, while Katy Winge added 11 points.

With 2:19 remaining in the second half, the Pioneers took their largest lead of the game as Bradley netted a jumper in the paint to put Denver up 61-51. The Redbirds cut Denver’s lead to four with 33 second left, but the Pioneers held them at bay, converting 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Denver trailed by as much as six points with 6:16 left in the first half. However the Pioneers used an 14-4 run to close out the half, taking a 33-29 lead heading into the locker room. Bradley led all scorers with 12 points, three assists and three steals in the first half, while Johnston had 10.

Up next, Denver travels to Fullerton, Calif., to take on Cal State Fullerton on Friday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. MT.

Denver Team Notes

• With her six points, Theresa Wirth has recorded two or more points in the last 19 games. She has also grabbed at least one rebound in 27 straight games dating back to last season, grabbing seven rebounds tonight.
• Johnston has grabbed at least one rebound in the last six games, finishing with two rebounds tonight.
• Hunter has grabbed three-or-more rebounds in seven games played this season and has grabbed two-or-more points in the last five games. Hunter finished with 11 rebounds and 10 points for her first career double-double. Her 11 rebounds sets a new career-high, while her 10 points ties a career-high.
• Hunter set a new career-high in blocks with 4.
• Edwards has started in 27 straight games for the Pioneers.
• Bradley set a new career-high in steals with four.
• Bradley has recorded three-or-more assists in 12-of-13 games this season. She has also recorded at least one rebound in every game this season, finishing with six tonight.
• With her 18 points, Bradley has scored in double-figures eight times this season.

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