BOX SCORE

FARGO, N.D. - The University of Denver women's basketball team turned in what may have been its best defensive performance of the year on Saturday in a 55-45 win over North Dakota State at Scheels Arena.

The victory snapped a 10-game losing streak and gave the Pioneers the season sweep over the Bison.

Ciera Morgan (Parker, Colo.) led the way with 11 points and five rebounds. The Colorado native really displayed some all-around ability on the floor today, doing a little bit of everything for DU.

Jordyn Alt (North Oaks, Minn.) picked up her third double-double of the season, finishing with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Each team traded baskets to open the contest in the first quarter. Denver did it with good passes off pick-and-roll situations that resulted in easy layups around the basket, while North Dakota State attacked from distance with 3s in the first five minutes.

The Pioneers' defense tightened coming out of the media timeout, holding the Bison scoreless in the final 4:41 while getting their offense and transition game in gear, closing with a 9-0 run to end the quarter up 19-11.

DU pushed its lead to as many at 12 in the second before NDSU switched to a zone, giving Denver trouble on the offensive end. The Pioneers struggled to find an answer, going scoreless for 6:19 before Morgan knocked down a free throw to snap the streak.

North Dakota State was able to make it a one-possession game at the half at 26-24 with its solid quarter of play on both ends.

DU became sluggish on offense after the Bison switched to zone, scoring only seven points in the second after putting up 19 in the opening quarter.

Points in the paint were a factor in the first half of play, with Denver holding a 16-6 advantage.

A 7-2 start in the third saw the Pioneer lead rise to seven at the first media timeout. The fast start was due to big plays from Morgan and Paige Bradley (The Woodlands, Texas).

DU kept its great play going with back-to-back 3-pointers from Samantha Romanowski (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) that gave it a 15-point lead. The freshman delivered again in the closing moments of the third, knocking down her third 3 of the quarter to put Denver up 44-29 after three.

The Pioneers never allowed the Bison any chance to make it close the rest of the way, going on to pick up the victory.

Right Time to Shine
The win gave DU the season sweep and all-important tiebreaker over NDSU in league play. Denver now is in very good shape of making the Summit League Tournament in March at the Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Up Next
DU (5-23, 3-12 SL) wraps up the regular season with Senior Day next Saturday against Omaha. The regular-season finale will be at Magness Arena with tip-off set for 1 p.m. MT. The game will be part of a doubleheader with the men's team.

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