LARAMIE – The University of Denver women's basketball team lost a thriller 78-74 at Wyoming on Tuesday evening. With the loss Denver dropped to 6-2 on the season.

Denver trailed by as many as 17 points early in the third quarter but a second-half surge gave the Pioneers a chance down the stretch. Wyoming's Marta Gomez hit a three-pointer with just under 30 seconds to play to seal the deal and ensure the victory. 

Madison Nelson finished with 15 points, three rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal. She has now eclipsed double-figures in four straight games.

Courtney Smith added 15 points, six rebounds and one assist.

Claire Gritt produced 13 points, eight boards, two assists and one steal. The sophomore's eight rebounds were one shy of tying a career best.

Samantha Romanowski, ranked eighth in the NCAA in assists, handed out eight assists for a second straight night. The playmaking guard also dropped in 13 points in the loss.

Denver opened the game empty on its initial three possessions as Wyoming grabbed a 4-0 lead in the first two minutes of play, but Gritt converted a pair of free throws to settle the Pioneers into the game.

Following a vacant Cowgirl possession, Lauren Loven tied the game at four with a transition layup at the 6:52 mark of the first quarter.

Over the next few minutes, the squads traded buckets but a three pointer from Sydney Mech gave the Pioneers a one point lead at the first media timeout. Out of the break, Taylor Rusk hit from three to thrust the Cowgirls back into the lead. Over the final four minutes of the first Wyoming and Denver went back-and-forth, trading baskets but the Cowgirls shot 9-of-16 from the floor to take a seven point lead after one quarter.

The back-and-forth action continued in the early going of the second quarter but a pair of layups from Nelson and a mid-range jumper from Loven cut the Cowgirl lead to 24-21 with 7:49 to play in the half.

Marta Gomez answered back for Wyoming with a layup in the paint but a corner-three from Gritt on the ensuing possession drew Denver even closer as the Pioneers trailed by just two points with three minutes gone in the quarter.

Following the three, the Cowgirls strung-together a 14-3 run to take a 13 point lead, their largest of the contest with 2:44 remaining in the second quarter causing head coach Jim Turgeon to take a timeout.

Wyoming's torrid shooting continued after the timeout as Clara Tapia hit from long-range to extend the lead to 16 with under a minute to play. DU had the final possession of the half as Loven hit from downtown as time expired to cut the deficit to 13.

It was a sloppy start to the second half for both teams as they combined for just 15 points over the first five minutes of play but three straight buckets for the Pioneers made it 51-40 at the media timeout. Out of the timeout, Denver continued to cut into the lead as Romanowski hit three consecutive buckets to draw within seven.

Over the final minute DU got a three from Smith and a layup from Nelson to make it 59-52 at the end of three.

The Crimson and Gold run continued in the first-few minutes of the fourth as DU ripped off an 8-4 run to make the score 63-60 and force a Wyoming timeout. Out of the timeout, Denver played great defense and forced a shot clock violation that was followed by a jumper from Tsimba Malonga to make it a one-point game.

After another defensive stop for the Pioneers, Smith made a layup to give Denver its first lead since 6:15 of the first quarter.

Wyoming remained calm despite the Denver charge as Karla Erjavec scored six straight points to put the Cowgirls back in front with just under four minutes to play.

Following a Denver turnover, Marta Gomez hit a mid-range jumper to increase the lead to five with 2:53 to play causing Turgeon to take another timeout.

Trailing by five with 2:26 remaining DU got back-to-back 3s from Smith to make it 74-72 with 1:22 to play in the game. Wyoming had possession with just under 50 seconds left and drained the clock down to 26 seconds when Gomez hit a huge three-pointer to make it 77-72.

Next Up: Denver will return to the court on Saturday afternoon when the Pioneers travel to Cedar City to take on Southern Utah at 2 pm MT.

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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