BROOKINGS, S.D. – The University of Denver women's basketball team earned a hard-fought 72-62 win over South Dakota State in Frost Arena on Thursday night.

This is the Pioneers' first win over the Jackrabbits since Feb. 11, 2015 and the first win in Brookings.

Senior Madison Nelson scored a game-high 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds. The senior made her presence felt on defense too with five blocks and three steals.

Lauren Loven added 14 points in the victory.

After being held without a field goal for 2:25, Nelson finished a layup off an assist from Jasmine Jeffcoat to bring Denver within two, 10-8, at the media timeout. The Pioneers went on a 6-0 run over the final 1:35 of the first quarter to take a 20-19 lead to the second quarter.

South Dakota State opened the second quarter on a 7-4 run over the first 4:04 of the quarter to hold a 26-24 advantage at the media timeout. Despite being held scoreless for the remaining 2:09 of the first half, DU went to the break trailing just 37-36.

Denver went on an 11-0 run over a 3:26 span that was sparked by a Loven 3 at the 7:56 mark of the third, jumping out to a 47-40 lead. The Crimson and Gold took a 53-47 advantage to the final quarter after closing the third quarter on a 6-3 run over the last 3:16.

A layup by Nelson with 5:04 left in the game ended a 4:36 scoring drought for the Pioneers and put them up 58-51. DU went on a 6-0 run over a 2:04 period to extend its lead to double-digits at 64-53 with 2:26 to play in the game.

Denver went 8-of-8 from the free throw line over the final 2:26 of the game to secure the 72-62 win.

UP NEXT
The Pioneers continue their road swing in Omaha, Nebraska for a matchup on Feb. 15 at 6 pm (MT) against Omaha.

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2020 DENVER ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME RECEPTION: Denver announced its 2020 Athletic Hall of Fame class in January. The inductees will be honored on the DU campus May 16. For more information, registration for the reception and donation information, click here. 
 
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