DENVER – Senior Madison Nelson's 24 point, 21 rebound game propelled the University of Denver women's basketball team to an 83-75 victory over UC Irvine Friday afternoon in Hamilton Gymnasium, the Pioneers fourth straight win.

"They are a very good team, this is a good win for us," said head coach Jim Turgeon. "I thought UC Irvine punched us in the face at the start of the game and we punched back. I am really proud of the effort and to learn we can fight through some things."

Nelson's 24 point and career-high 21 rebound performance is only the second 20-20 performance in program history. Nelson recorded the first 20-20 performance in program history in this same tournament a year ago, scoring 23 and pulling down 20 boards in a 117-110 double overtime victory over Lamar. The senior forward recorded her fifth straight double-double performance of the season and 17th of her career.

Redshirt junior Briana Johnson added a season-high 16 points, while senior Lauren Loven totaled 19 points on the day.

Denver went 23 of 25 from the charity stripe and grabbed a season-high 58 rebounds.

The two teams traded baskets for the first five minutes of play as Denver took a 12-9 lead into the media timeout. UC Irvine ended the quarter on an 11-0 run over the last 4:16 to take a 20-12 lead into the second.

After Anteaters' Jordan Sanders knocked down two early free throws, Loven cut Denver's deficit to seven with a three to make the score 22-15. The Pioneers never looked back in the second quarter to take a 41-37 lead into the half. Turgeon's defense closed the half strong, holding UC Irvine scoreless for the last 2:45.

DU came out of the break firing, jumping out to a 50-41 lead on a 9-0 run for the first 2:27 of the second half. UC Irvine closed the quarter strong on an 11-2 run that was capped off with a Dani Guglielmo three at the buzzer, bringing the Anteaters within two points.

A Sophia Locandro layup 10 seconds into the final quarter knotted the game at 62-62 a side. UC Irvine took a 66-65 lead into the media timeout. Junior Claire Gritt found Nelson who finished a layup to put Denver ahead 69-68 with 4:11 remaining in the contest. Gritt and Loven hit two late threes in the fourth to stretch Denver's lead to seven, and the Pioneers hit their last six free throws down the stretch to hold on for the 83-75 win.

UP NEXT
The Pioneers continue the Pioneer Thanksgiving Classic Saturday at 3:30 pm (MT) against Alabama A&M in Hamilton Gymnasium.

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