Box Score Dec. 21, 2014 WBB v UC Irvine (21 DEC 14) - Audio Only
Box Score 
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The University of Denver women's basketball team didn't have enough in the second half to hold onto their 37-29 halftime lead, falling to UC Irvine on Sunday afternoon on the final day of the BTI Invitational at Purdue University. Denver (2-11) was defeated by UC Irvine (2-11) 63-55 at Mackey Arena.
The Pioneers were behind 6-5, when they went on a 11-0 run that featured five different Pioneers making a basket, culminating with a jumper by Jordyn Alt (North Oaks, Minn.) at the 13:35 mark of the first half. Then after the Anteaters trimmed the Pioneers lead to 25-20, Denver went on another run, this time it was a 10-0 run, including four points from Alt that made the score 35-20, which was the largest lead of the game for Denver. The Crimson and Gold carried a 37-29 lead into halftime on 47 percent (14-of-30) shooting from the field and 40 percent (6-of-15) shooting from behind the 3-point line.
The second half was a different story for the Pioneers, as they went cold shooting the ball, particularly late in the half. UC Irvine went on an 8-0 run, which erased the Pioneers halftime lead and tied the game at the 10:46 mark of the second half. Denver regained the lead 48-47 on a free throw by Paige Bradley (The Woodlands, Texas), but less than a minute later UC Irvine retook the lead for good on a layup by Shereen Sutherland with 7:45 remaining. From there the Anteaters extended their lead as the Pioneers weren't able to convert on the offensive end. Denver shot just 19 percent (6-of-32) from the field in the second half.
The Pioneers were led by sophomore forward Alecia Espinoza (Hacienda Heights, Calif.) who recorded her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Johnston (Waterloo, Iowa) also scored 11points to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Bradley, started the game after missing a game and coming off the bench against Purdue, chipped in eight points and dished out six assists. Alt had a solid game off the bench, putting in eight points and nine rebounds.
Senior Morgan Van Riper-Rose (Eden Prairie, Minn.) was one of five players named to the BTI Invitational All-Tournament Team. For the tournament Van Riper-Rose scored 36 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out eight assits.
UC Irvine was led by sophomore Mokun Fajemisin who put up a double-double with 20 points and 10 boards. Sutherland was huge off the bench in the second half for the Anteaters, she finished with 18 points and six rebounds.
Denver shot 32 percent (20-of-62) for the game from the field, 32 percent (8-of-25) from 3-point range and 58 percent (7-of-12) from the free throw line. UC Irvine shot 40 percent (25-of-63) from the field in the contest, 15 percent (2-of-13) from the 3-point line and 52 percent (11-of-21) from the charity stripe.
The Pioneers are back in action next weekend as they travel to Denton, Texas for a matchup with North Texas on Sunday December 28. Tip-off against the Mean Green is set for 1:00 p.m. MT. An audio-only broadcast is available on Pioneer Vision.
Information on all DU Basketball ticketing options can be obtained by calling the Daniel L. Ritchie Center Box Office at (303) 871-2336, or by visiting the ticket page on DenverPioneers.com.
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