DENVER –The University of Denver women's basketball team downed UMKC 92-75 on Friday evening at Hamilton Gymnasium.

With the victory, the Pioneers move to 1-0 on the young season.

Denver outscored UMKC 21-14 in the third quarter to extend the lead and put the game out of reach of the 'Roos. Denver forced six turnovers in the third while shooting 44.4 (8-18) percent en route to the strong quarter.

Lauren Loven led the Crimson and Gold with 21 points, 12 of which came in the first 20 minutes of play. Loven also added four rebounds and two assists.

Claire Gritt produced 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting while adding seven boards and three assists.

Madison Nelson finished with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting, adding eight boards, two blocks and two steals.

Sydney Mech kicked off the opening quarter with her first collegiate bucket, converting from downtown to put Denver up 3-0. The Pioneers kept up the hot start capitalizing on four turnovers by the 'Roos, turning the giveaways into five fast points. UMKC finally got on the board nearly three minutes into the game thanks to a layup from Leilah Vigil to make the score 7-2.

After the 'Roos first points, DU ripped off an 8-3 run to push the lead back to 15-2 with just under five minutes to play in the first quarter. Nelson capped off the run with an old-fashioned three point play to give her five quick points.

Denver's strong first quarter continued as the 'Roos and Pioneers traded baskets over the final few minutes of the opening frame. As a team, the Crimson and Gold shot 50.0 (11-22) percent to grab the lead 29-18 at the end of the first 10 minutes.

DU and UMKC once again traded baskets over the first three minutes of play in the second quarter but Coach Turgeon's squad put together a 14-10 stretch to extend the lead to 15 with just under a minute to play in the half.

The 'Roos drew closer with just 40 seconds to play thanks to back-to-back baskets from Ericka Mattingly, who knocked down a last second three to make it 49-39 at the break.

After a fast-paced opening half both teams struggled offensively in the early going of the third quarter combining for just 11 points over the first three minutes of play. Despite the struggles, Denver was able to extend the lead to 15 after Gritt converted a pair of second-chance layups with under five minutes to play in the third quarter.

On the ensuing defensive possession, freshman Tsimba Malonga grabbed a defensive rebound and ran the length of the floor for an easy transition lay-in to increase DU's lead to 62-45. UMKC picked up the defensive intensity but the Pioneers did not falter offensively, adding eight points prior the end of the third quarter.

Trailing 70-53 at the beginning of the fourth, the 'Roos needed to string together defensive stops but the Pioneers would not oblige. Instead the Crimson and Gold opened the quarter with three baskets and a three point play from Samantha Romanowski to increase the lead to 21 with under seven minutes to play.

UMKC refused to go away, using a 9-3 run to cut the Denver lead to just 15 with four minutes remaining but a corner three from Loven sealed the deal for the Pioneers.

Next Up: The Pioneers have a quick turnaround, hosting Air Force on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

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