Box Score DENVER – The University of Denver women’s basketball team fell to Colorado State, 86-78 in a classic in-state rivalry match that featured 12 lead changes, at Magness Arena Sunday afternoon. The result drops the Pioneers to 1-7 on the year, while the Rams extend their record to 6-3.
“Bottom line is it was a great women’s basketball game by both teams,” said head coach Kerry Cremeans. “There were a lot of points scored and a lot of defensive stops. The bottom line was that Colorado State was able to get to the free-throw line and nailed them. That’s really where the game was won today.”
Senior Alison Janecek (Omaha, Neb.) recorded a career-high 20 points and finished with her second career double-double, adding 10 rebounds. Off the bench, Janecek added three blocks, three assists and was 6-of-8 from the free-throw line.
“We saw great success with AJ,” said Cremeans. “She’s a strong body inside with the ability to score with her back to the basket as well as facing the basket. We will continue to get the ball inside to her as her stamina increases coming off an injury.”
Sophomore guard Kailey Edwards (Broomfield, Colo.) finished with 15 points, five assists, five rebounds and a block. The Colorado native also held the Rams leading scorer, Duffy to two points in the second-half, posting a career-high four steals in 39-minutes of action.
Junior forward Theresa Wirth (Mesa, Ariz.) recorded another double-digit rebound performance (10), adding seven points. Junior Jordan Johnston (Waterloo, Iowa) finished with a season-high 10 points, and was 3-of-5 from beyond the arc off the bench.
The Pioneers led by as many as 10 points in the first half on 14-of-29 (41.9 percent) shooting while sinking 6-for-11 from three-point territory. At the half, Denver led 42-41 after CSU closed the gap with 22 points in the paint.
Colorado State’s largest lead was 14 just over the five-minute mark in the second half. With 1:39 left, the Rams saw an eight-point lead evaporate when Edwards stole the inbound and got fouled on the two point bucket. Janecek rebounded the missed free-throw, and Bradley got fouled and converted one of the two free-throws to cut the lead to six-points.
Johnston made it a four-point game after knocking in a trey with 48.9 seconds left. However, it wasn’t enough as the Rams pulled away off 6-of-8 shooting in the final 40 seconds at the free-throw line.
Five Rams finished in double-figures, as junior Gritt Ryder led the way with 18 points, and was 12-of-14 from free-throw line. Senior’s Sam Martin and Caitlin Duffy added 14 points each, while Ellen Nystrom recorded seven rebounds and 10 points.
The Pioneers tied their season average of 40.9 percent from the field, and hit seven three-pointers. The Rams shot 42.9 percent from the field, adding 38 points within the paint, and were 34-for-41 from the charity strip, while DU was 17-for-27.
The Pioneers will conclude their in-state rivalry Thursday as they travel to No. 11 Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder. Action begins at 7:00 p.m. MT.
Denver Team Notes
· Janecek’s 20 points sets a new career-high, surpassing her previous mark of 13 at Minnesota (Dec. 05, 2012). Janecek also finished with her second-career double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
· Janecek also set new career highs in field-goals made (7), field-goals attempted (14), free-throws made (6), free-throws attempted (8) and assists (3).
· With her seven points, Wirth has recorded at least two points in the last 14 games dating back to last season.
· With her 10 rebounds, Wirth has grabbed at least one rebound in the last 21 games dating back to last season. This is the fourth time this season the junior has grabbed double-digit rebounds.
· Michel extended her consecutive starting streak to 36 games.
· With her three rebounds, Michel extended her streak of grabbing at least one rebound to 93 games. The senior remained in ninth place in the Pioneer Record Books with 661 career rebounds.
· With her three assists, Bradley has recorded at least one assist in all eight games this season. She’s recorded three-or-more assists in six-of-eight games this season.
· Spittel set a new career-high in points (5), while tying her season-high in rebounds (3).
· Edwards set a new career-high in steals with four. Her 15 points marks her 20th game over her career that she’s finished in double figures, sixth this season.
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