DENVER – The University of Denver women's basketball team blew past Purdue Fort Wayne with an 83-57 win on Saturday afternoon in Hamilton Gymnasium.

The Pioneers shot a season-high 56.3 percent from behind the arc.

Senior Madison Nelson registered game-bests of 25 points and 13 rebounds for her 15th double-double of the season and 27th of her career. Nelson recorded two blocks on the afternoon, eclipsing the 100 mark in her career.

Three other Pioneers – Lauren Loven, Uju Ezeudu, and Claire Gritt – scored in double-figures in the win. Loven tallied 14, while Ezeudu had 12 and Gritt had 10.

Both teams started slow, going scoreless for the opening minute of play. Nelson scored six of Denver's first nine points as the Pioneers jumped out to a 9-5 lead in the first 4:13 of the game. DU closed the first quarter on a 10-8 run over the final 4:10 to take a 21-16 advantage to the second quarter.

DU came in to the second quarter hitting its first three field goals to take a 29-19 lead in the first 1:35 of the second quarter. The Pioneers went to the media timeout up 36-28 with 2:34 to play in the first half.

Sh'Toya Sanders closed the Mastodon gap to four with 18 seconds to play, before Briana Johnson hit a 3 at the buzzer to send the teams to half with the Crimson and Gold up 41-34.

After holding Purdue Fort Wayne to just nine third quarter points, Denver took a 62-43 lead to the final quarter.

The Pioneers kept their foot on the gas to eventually earn the 26-point victory, 83-57.

UP NEXT
Denver hits the road for a two game road trip beginning in Brookings, S.D. against South Dakota State at 6 pm (MT) on Feb. 13.

TICKETS:
For all Denver Athletics ticket inquires, call 303-871-GOAL (4625), or visit DenverPioneers.com. Purchase season tickets for the 2019-20 season by CLICKING HERE.

SHOP PIONEERS:
Get dressed for Game Day! Get your Pioneers gear at ShopPioneers.com, the official online store of University of Denver Athletics.

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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