DENVER – The University of Denver women's basketball team fell 87-83 to Samford in overtime on Wednesday morning in Hamilton Gymnasium. The loss is Denver's third straight and drops the Pioneers' record to 7-5 while Samford improves to 4-8.

Courtney Smith finished with 19 points and seven rebounds and has now eclipsed double figures in six of her seven games.

Madison Nelson had 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals. The double-double is her fourth of the season.

DU opened the contest on a 6-0 run thanks to a pair of buckets from Smith but Samford scored the next four to help settle the contest. The Pioneers fed off the energy from the crowd and put together a 5-0 stretch that included a long-distance jumper from Lauren Loven.

Despite leading 12-4 at the media timeout, Denver was unable to extend the lead over the remaining three-plus minutes of the first quarter as the Bulldogs picked up their defensive intensity. The Pioneers shot 11-of-26 from the floor and just 1-of-5 from downtown in the first quarter while Smith's 8 points led the team.

The Bulldogs trailed by as many as 10 in the first quarter but Samford fought back into the game with a 6-0 outburst in the opening minutes of the second quarter. The teams then traded blows for the next four minutes but Samford took its first lead after a transition layup was good for Natalie Armstrong.

Denver struck right back as Gritt led a 6-0 surge to put the Pioneers back in front, 33-27 with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Both teams struggled over the final two minutes but Samantha Fitzgerald's layup made it a four point DU lead after two periods.

Again, Samford came out of the break strong, getting an old-fashioned 3-point play from Raven Omar to cut the deficit to one. Denver then hit back-to-back threes to stretch the lead back to seven at 39-32 forcing a Samford timeout with 8:36 left in the period.

Loven continued the DU run with a driving layup and a 3-pointer to increase the lead to 12, Denver's largest of the contest. Prior to the media timeout, the teams exchanged baskets as the Crimson and Gold led 48-36 with 4:46 to play.

Following the break the Bulldogs cut into Denver's lead thanks to a 9-2 run that forced head coach Jim Turgeon to take a timeout with 2:28 left in the quarter. After the timeout, Samford cut even further into the lead with two baskets from Makaila Woolard making it 54-50 at the end of three.

The Bulldogs carried over the third quarter dominance, ripping off a 7-2 stretch to regain the lead for the first time since the 6:05 mark of the second quarter. With 6:14 remaining in the contest the teams traded punches while exchanging one point leads. After an empty Bulldog possession, Samantha Romanowski split a pair of free throws to put Denver ahead 64-62 with just over three minutes to play.

The see-saw action persisted over the final few minutes of the quarter as Samford took a two point lead after a 3-pointer from Paige Serup. Nelson was then fouled on Denver's final possession and hit two free throws to force the overtime period.

Samford scored the first basket in overtime and never looked back, taking a five-point lead after Serup hit two free throws. With 20 seconds left in the contest Denver went to Smith who converted the layup with just six seconds to play. Samford then hit two free throws to secure the victory.

Next Up: The Pioneers will travel to Colorado Springs to face in-state opponent Colorado State on Friday afternoon prior to breaking for the holidays.

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.

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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