University of Denver Athletics

DENVER – The University of Denver women's basketball team defeated Air Force 92-66 on Sunday afternoon at Hamilton Gymnasium.

With the victory, Denver moves to 2-0 on the season, marking the first 2-0 start for DU since the 2011-12 season.

Denver had five players finish in double figures, Lauren Loven led the group with 25 while Sydney Mech had 17, Tsimba Malonga added 12, Claire Gritt produced 11 and Abi Curtin finished with 10. The Crimson and Gold held Air Force to just 28.2 percent from the floor and 12.5 percent from downtown while shooting a torrid 48.3 percent from the floor and 55.0 percent from downtown.

Loven led the Pioneers with 25 points as she fell just one jumper shy of her career-high hitting seven three-point field goals on just nine attempts. This marks the second straight game that Loven eclipsed the 20-point total.

Mech stuffed the stat sheet, adding 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal. The freshman has now reached double figures in both of her collegiate appearances.   

Despite not making a field goal, senior Samantha Romanowski finished with seven assists, six rebounds and three blocks. The seven dimes match a career-high that she set on Friday evening against UMKC.

The Pioneers and Falcons started the first quarter slow, combining for five turnovers in the first three minutes. Denver took advantage, getting two free throws from Mech and an easy layup from Madison Nelson to take an early 4-0 lead.

Air Force finally got on the board at the 7:10 mark after two free throws from Emily Conroe but the Crimson and Gold responded immediately with a pair of layups from Gritt and Mech. Halfway through the quarter, the Falcons had not yet made a field goal but only trailed 8-4 at the media timeout.

After the timeout, Air Force drew to within three at 16-13 but a transition layup from Malonga put the Pioneers up five at the end of the first period of play.

The Crimson and Gold began to pull away in the second quarter as Loven knocked down a pair of triples to extend Denver's lead to 11. The dominant frame continued as Mech and Malonga converted from distance to cap off a 16-5 run putting the Pioneers up 34-18 with just over five minutes to play in the half.

The teams traded buckets over the final minutes of the first half but Haley Simental hit a three to extend the lead out to 19 at the 1:38 mark. The Falcons scored five straight to cut the lead to 14 but another three from Loven made it a 17-point game at the break.

Loven stayed hot, opening the second half on a 5-0 run that included another long-distance jumper, pushing the lead to 22 at 54-32. Denver remained dominant increasing its lead to 29 thanks to a pair of Curtin free throws at the 7:16 mark. The offensive explosion continued throughout the final seven minutes of the quarter as the Crimson and Gold shot 9-of-14, while outscoring Air Force 27-12.

DU opened the fourth quarter with the game in hand, but the Pioneers did not take their foot of the gas stretching the lead to 30 after Loven's seventh triple of the game. The teams traded buckets throughout the final few minutes of the fourth quarter as Denver held Air Force to just 20-of-71 shooting for the game.

Next Up: The Pioneers will rest for four days and return to the court on Friday in Greely where Denver will face off against Northern Colorado.

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