BOX SCORE

MALIBU, Calif. - Despite its best shooting night of the year, the University of Denver women's basketball team couldn't shake a pesky Pepperdine team on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers fell 64-60 in a thriller at Firestone Fieldhouse.

Paige Bradley (The Woodlands, Texas) gave DU her best effort of the season, scoring a season-high 19 points in the loss. Bradley was a force everywhere on the floor, also adding five assists and grabbing four rebounds.

Samantha Romanowski (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) continued her high-scoring ways, dropping in a season-high 22 points in the game. The freshman's 22 points mark the sixth straight game of an increased scoring output on the offensive end. She also knocked down four 3-pointers in the game.

The Waves were led by Erica Ogwumike's team-high 15 points. Ogumike also led the team with six rebounds.

Bradley came out and set the tone early for the Pioneers, attacking the paint early and often, resulting in easy baskets for her and her teammates she set up on passes off her drives, giving DU a 12-6 edge at the first media timeout. The senior scored and assisted on Denver's first 10 points of the contest - all good looks right around the rim.

The Pioneers were able to fight off a cold streak the final 3:47 of the first quarter with solid defense, taking a 12-10 lead after the first. DU's defense held Pepperdine to 29.4 percent shooting (5-of-17) in the first 10 minutes of play.

A jumper from the left elbow by Kelsey Brockway tied the game back up at 12 all, part of 6-0 run by the Waves that dated back to the final minutes of the first quarter.

DU pulled ahead 17-15 going into the under-five minute media timeout thanks again to Bradley's strong play on the offensive end.

Denver surged ahead due to some good ball movement and forcing turnovers on the defensive end in the closing minutes of the half to take a 28-22 lead at the break.

The Pioneers were a force in the first half on the defensive end, holding Pepperdine to 32.3 percent shooting, and corralling them into nine turnovers that resulted in 10 points on the scoreboard for DU.

Bradley led the Denver attack in opening half, scoring 11 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting performance. The Woodlands, Texas native also dished out three assists while only turning the ball over once, showing real command of the offense against the Waves.

Things started to turn after a 10-1 run to start the third gave Pepperdine its first lead since the opening minute of the game. The run was capped off by a 3-pointer from Allie Green.

Denver cut it to a two-point game at 39-37 after a made 3 from Romanowski, the first made 3 of the afternoon for them.

Romanowski struck again at the end of the third, knocking down another 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it a one-point game in favor of the Waves at 43-42.

The Pioneers tied it back up at 51 all at the 3:59 mark on a great find from Bradley to Jesse Spittel (Yorba Linda, Calif.) for the layup in the post, giving the junior forward eight points on the game.

The game remained tied at 57 all going into the final three minutes after five straight points from Romanowski, upping her total to 22, a new season high for the Washington native.

Pepperdine built its lead to five points late, but a 3 from Bradley brought DU to within two at 62-60 with a minute remaining in the contest. Bradley's 3 gave 19, a new season high.

Denver had one last chance to tie it up late, but failed to convert on a 3-point attempt, forcing it to have to foul to extend the game. The Waves were able to knock down their free throws to make it a two-possession game, and go on to secure the victory.

Up Next

The Pioneers (1-6) return home to play host to Wyoming on Wednesday, Dec. 9 as part of Education & Hoops day. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. MT.

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