DENVER – University of Denver senior Madison Nelson notched her first double-double of the season as the Pioneers' comeback bid against New Mexico State came up short on Saturday in Magness Arena.

Nelson recorded a game-high 12 rebounds along with tying a team-high 17 points with freshman Uju Ezeudu.

In her first game back in Magness Arena in over a year, redshirt junior Briana Johnson tallied 13 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes of action. Freshman Meghan Boyd made her first start as a Pioneer, tallying eight points and five boards.

Denver went on a 6-0 run over a 2:04 second stretch to jump out to a 17-12 lead 6:36 into the game. The Aggies took a 23-17 lead with 1:17 remaining in the quarter after going on an 11-0 run over 2:23 period to force a Denver timeout. A Tsimba Malonga layup with 24 seconds left ended a two-minute plus pioneer scoring drought, going to the second quarter trailing 23-19.

Heading into the third quarter, trailing 40-35, Nelson converted both shots at the line with 6:25 to go and bringing Denver within one at 44-43. A minute later, Nelson found Johnson for a three to give the Crimson and Gold a 46-44 lead before Johnson hit a second shot behind the arc to put the Pioneers ahead by five.

New Mexico State pulled within one with 2:06 left in the third to end a four-minute scoring drought. The Aggies closed the third shooting six of seven from the field as the Pioneers went into the fourth quarter up 58-57.

Aaliyah Prince put New Mexico State ahead by one, 65-64, with a layup and 5:46 remaining in the contest. Following two made free throws by Nelson to give Denver the lead, Gia Pack made a three-pointer for a New Mexico State 69-66 lead with 4:50 left. Malonga showed the hustle with 1:46 to go forcing a jump ball. Senior Lauren Loven put the Crimson and Gold up by two, 73-71.

A Prince layup with just over a minute to go knotted the game at 73 a side that was followed with a jumper by Prince, giving the Aggies a 75-73 lead. Malonga's three-point attempt at the buzzer came up short as New Mexico State held on for the 78-75 win.

UP NEXT
The Pioneers host Wyoming on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. (MT) in Hamilton Gymnasium.

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