Box Score | Photo Gallery

WBB v Wyoming (16 NOV 17) - Highlights
WBB v Wyoming (16 NOV 17) - Full Game
WBB v Wyoming (16 NOV 17) - Post Game

DENVER - The University of Denver women's basketball team fell at home, 61-51 to Wyoming on Thursday night. Despite getting the game within five points in the fourth, the Pioneers could not complete the comeback.

On the season the Crimson and Gold fell to 1-2, while the Cowgirls improved to 3-0.

Leading the way for DU was Claire Gritt, who put up 18 points for a career night and shot 50 percent (7-for-14) from the field and 66.7 (4-for-6) from behind the arc.

Samantha Romanowski added eight points, while handing out three assists and nabbing a pair of steals.

As a team, Denver shot 32.3 percent (20-for-67) from field-goal range, with a three-point percentage of 41.2 percent (7-for-17).

DU forced 22 turnovers from Wyoming, while also holding the team to 25 percent (5-for-20) from 3-point range.

The Cowgirls quickly built a 5-0 lead to start the game, but the Pioneers got on the board with a pair of free throws from Jahla Osborne.

By the end of the first, Wyoming had a 10-3 advantage, led by Liv Roberts with seven points.

Cowgirl Selale Kepenc came out into the second feeling it from behind the arc and quickly dropped her second trey of the contest.

Gritt finally ended a 13-3 Cowgirl run with a layup. On the very next Crimson and Gold positon, Briana Johnson followed suit with a lay-in of her own.

With five minutes to play in the second, Taylor Rusk returned the lead to nine, 18-9 with a quick drop-in.

Despite the Cowgirls building a 27-14 lead over the period, Lauren Loven drained a huge three for DU to cut it to 10 with a minute to play until the break.

Both teams put up shots before the end of the half, but neither team was successful. Through the first two quarters, the Pioneers struggled offensively, shooting 22.2 percent (6-for-27) from the field and 25 percent (1-for-4) from three-point territory.

Gritt got the Pioneers going in the third, hitting back-to-back threes, cutting the Wyoming lead to only five, 30-25.

However, another old fashion three-point play for Roberts minutes later helped rebuild a 12-point advantage for the Cowgirls.

Continuing her strong performance, Gritt added four more points on lay ups, while cutting the margin back down to only eight.

The freshman hit another huge trey before the end of the third, pumping up the Denver sideline. However, Wyoming connected with a two-point buzzer beater to answer and quite the side.

Gritt entered the fourth still hot, sinking yet another three. Her bucket ignited the team, as they worked the Cowgirl advantage back to only five, 46-41.

Even with the DU offensive turnaround, Wyoming continued to score at will and quickly had the lead back up to nine with only five minutes to play.

The Crimson and Gold got within eight, 59-51 with 17 seconds left but the lead was just too much to overcome.

Denver returns to Hamilton Gymnasium on Nov. 22 to battle Chadron State at 7 p.m.

PIONEER MOVEMENT:

Fans interested in making a donation to the women's basketball program can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.

Student-Athlete Alumni Giving Challenge:

In 2017-18, the University of Denver is holding an alumni giving challenge in an effort to increase student-athlete alumni participation in the Denver Athletics Annual Fund. The sport program with the highest percentage of alumni participation will receive an additional $10,000 of support through the generosity of an anonymous donor. Former student-athletes can make a gift online, by calling 303-871-2388 during normal business hours or by sending a check to:

Athletics Development Office
Attn: Kaley Rickert
2201 E. Asbury Avenue
Denver, CO 80208

DENVER ATHLETICS TICKETS: For all Denver Athletics ticket inquires, call 303-871-GOAL (4625), or visit DenverPioneers.com.

- JOIN THE DENVER PIONEER NATION --

Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Women's Basketball on Facebook

Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_Whoops on Twitter