TULSA, Okla. – The University of Denver women's basketball team made a late fourth quarter push but fell 84-72 to Oral Roberts on Thursday night in the Mabee Center.

This is the third time this season Denver has sank 10-plus 3s in a game, hitting 11 on the night. Lauren Loven and Meghan Boyd combined for 10 of DU's 11 3s. Loven made six while Boyd nailed four.

Senior Madison Nelson posted her fourth straight double-double and 14th of the season with 18 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Loven led all scorers on the night with 25 points and Boyd tied a career-high 19 points in the loss.

Loven's six made 3s moved her to second in the Summit League record book with 310 career 3s made.

After surrendering a 6-0 run over a 1:55 period where Oral Roberts jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, Denver cut the deficit to one at the media timeout at 10-9. The Pioneers went on a 10-4 run over a 2:39 span that included two Boyd 3s and a Loven 3 to eventually force a Golden Eagle timeout.

The Crimson and Gold were held scoreless for the remaining 2:06 of the opening quarter to take a 20-19 lead to the second.

Oral Roberts regained the lead just 19 seconds into the second quarter with a Jentry Holt layup. A Loven jumper at the 8:43 mark put DU back out in front, 22-21. Despite the Golden Eagles closing the half on an 8-3 run over the final 4:12 of the opening half, the Pioneers took a 37-36 lead to the break.

Denver went on a 9-4 run over the opening 3:54 of the second half to go up by six, 46-40. Oral Roberts trailed for the entire third quarter before Katie Kirkhart tied the game at 52-52 with seven seconds to go in the third.

The teams traded early baskets in the first minute of the fourth, followed by a Holt jumper with 8:25 to play to give ORU the 56-55 advantage. Oral Roberts went on a 16-5 run over 4:54 to take an 11-point lead at 72-61 with 3:31 to play.

DU cut the deficit to single digits on three separate occasions in the final 1:33 of the game, but Oral Roberts held on for the win.

UP NEXT
The Pioneers return home to host No. 21/18 South Dakota in Hamilton Gymnasium at 1 pm (MT) on Feb. 2.

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