LAS CRUCES – The University of Denver women's basketball team fell 66-64 to New Mexico State on Tuesday evening. With the loss DU drops to 7-3 while the Aggies improve to 5-2.

The Pioneers led for over 36 minutes of the contest but were outscored 22-12 in the final quarter while shooting just 6-of-23 from the floor.

Madison Nelson finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. Claire Gritt produced 11 points, five rebounds, five boards and five assists. Courtney Smith had 12 points and 13 rebounds for her third double-double as a Pioneer.

Denver opened the game on a 9-4 run thanks to seven quick points from Gritt but the Aggies answered the early call, cutting the deficit to one prior to the first media timeout. Following the break Nelson produced three-straight layups for Denver as the Pioneers held a 17-12 lead with just under a minute to play in the quarter. New Mexico State then got a pair of free throws from Kalei Atkinson to make the score 17-14 at the end of one.

The Aggies took their first lead of the game after a 4-0 run at the beginning of the second quarter but the Crimson and Gold struck back with a 4-0 run of their own to regain the lead with 6:53 to play in the half. Over the final 6-plus minutes of play the Pioneers produced an 11-7 stretch, increasing the lead to five at the halftime break. Nelson led Denver with 10 points and five boards while DU shot 12-of-31 from the floor in the first 20 minutes of play.

Out of the break, Denver got a stop on defense and turned it into an easy layup for Smith. After another stop on D, Gritt was fouled and converted a pair at the line to give the Pioneers their largest lead of nine points. New Mexico State put an end to the DU run as Brooke Salas produced four-straight points to make it 36-31 with 8:24 left in the third. The Aggies' hot shooting continued as Salas again knocked down a long-range jumper, which was followed by a two-pointer from Gia Pack to cut Denver's lead to just two points.  

The Pioneers responded with a 3-pointer from Lauren Loven, making the score 41-38. On the ensuing defensive possession Loven grabbed the rebound and ran the length of the floor for an easy transition layup to give Denver the five-point lead. The teams traded buckets over the final few minutes of the quarter but Nelson hit a big three off of an out-of-bounds play to put Denver up eight after three quarters.

New Mexico State stayed patient and used a 6-0 run early in the fourth to cut Denver's lead to just four points with 7:58 to play. The Pioneers opened the fourth by shooting just 2-of-9 in the first five minutes of the quarter as head coach Jim Turgeon was forced to take a timeout with his team leading by two.

Following the timeout the teams exchanged baskets but New Mexico State used a 4-0 run to regain the lead for the first time since the 7:54 mark of the second quarter. Smith answered for Denver with back-to-back layups but five free throws and a jumper from Salas kept the Aggies in front by one point with 30 seconds to play. Denver had two chances under the basket with time running out but the Pioneers were unable to convert.  

Next up: Denver will travel to Lincoln to face off against Big Ten-foe Nebraska on Saturday afternoon.

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

TOGETHER 4 COLORADO TOY DRIVE:
The Pioneers have partnered with CBS4 for the Together 4 Colorado Toy Drive to support the Denver community during the holiday season. Beginning Nov. 17, there will be toy drops at every Denver Athletics and Newman Center event thru Dec. 19. Additionally, there will be a Community Shop 'n Drop on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., hosted by the Denver Cheerleading squad at the circle drive on the north side of the Ritchie Center.

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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