University of Denver
2-13, 0-2SL
South Dakota
10-4, 1-0SL
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 19 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 60 |
| South Dakota | 22 | 16 | 26 | 21 | 85 |
Bradley Scores 1,000th in Denver Loss
1/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BOX SCORE
VERMILLION, S.D. - The undermanned University of Denver women's basketball team battled hard before running out of gas in the second half in a loss to South Dakota on Friday afternoon. The Pioneers fell 85-60 at the DakotaDome.
Paige Bradley (The Woodlands, Texas) carried DU with a game-high 18 points, who were again playing with only seven players due to injuries. The Woodlands native also made history, becoming the 23rd player in program history to score at least 1,000 points in her collegiate career. She also handed out six assists and nailed a buzzer-beating 3 from just behind half court to end the second quarter.
Ciera Morgan (Parker, Colo.) chipped in with a career-best 12 points. Morgan also had three assists and three rebounds.
Denver's eight 3-pointers set a new season high this year.
Nicole Seekamp led USD with a team-high 17 points. The Summit League preseason player of the year also recorded nine assists.
South Dakota used its 3-point shooting to take a 16-11 lead by the first media timeout, which consisted of knocking down its first three 3-pointers. The Pioneers battled back though thanks to Bradley's own deep shooting. The senior scored all nine of her first-quarter points from beyond the arc, putting them down 22-19 after one.
High-paced play continued in the second, with Denver coming back to take a 30-28 advantage after a 3 from Maya Rodgers (Meridian, Idaho), her first points of the afternoon.
The Coyotes, however, closed with fury, going back up due to a 10-5 run over the final 4:17 to take a three-point lead into the half.
Bradley delivered maybe the play of the season right at the buzzer before half, drilling a 50-footer from the left side of the court to make it a one-possession game for the Pioneers going into the break. It also capped of an amazing first 20 minutes for the senior, who had a game-high 15, all coming from the 3-point line.
Denver delivered big time from 3 in the first half, tying its season high with seven 3s.
Both teams traded buckets in the opening five minutes of the third. Bradley was able to get her teammates involved after being keyed by the USD defense coming out of halftime.
South Dakota made its move at the 4:18 mark with a 15-5 run to close out the quarter, pushing its lead to 15 at 64-49. USD's big run was part of a 26-point quarter, which was due to good shooting from the field and a Pioneer defense that became gassed due to having only seven players available.
South Dakota never let up in the fourth and never let DU get within 15 in the final 10 minutes.
Staying the Course
Bradley's continued perseverance over four years was rewarded on Friday with her joining the 1,000-point club. The senior has consistently worked to improve her game every season and been a positive force in helping a young Pioneer team battle through adversity this year. The 1,000-point barrier is a special thing to surpass for a collegiate basketball player and got a well-deserving new member in the Texas native.
Up Next
Denver (2-13, 0-2 SL) returns home for a pair of Summit League games next week. First up, a Thursday contest with North Dakota State. Tip is set for 7 p.m. at Magness Arena
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