VERMILLION, S.D.  – The University of Denver women's basketball team closed out its season series with South Dakota on Sunday, falling 89-74 at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.

Inside the Box Score:

• Uju Ezeudu led the Pioneers with 22 points and five rebounds.
• Ezeudu set program records from free throws made (16) and attempted (19).
• Meghan Boyd was Denver's other player in double figures, chipping in with 18 points.
• South Dakota had three players in double figures, including three with 13+ points.
• Hannah Sjerven led the Coyotes with a game-high 25 points.

Significant Stats:

• Pioneers tied a season high with 12 3s made
• The Crimson and Gold scored 74 points on the day, the sixth time this season with at least 70 in a game.

Turning Point:
South Dakota used an 11-0 run after the Pioneers closed to within four at 27-23 late in the second quarter to push the lead into double figures for good.
 
As it Happened:

First Quarter:
Denver shook off an 8-0 start from South Dakota with their own 6-0 run to keep it close in the opening minutes. The Coyotes pushed their lead as many as nine before a late Pioneer push made it a seven-point contest after one, 23-16.
 
Second Quarter:
A rough start for the Pioneers didn't stop them from fighting their way back into this one, closing to within four points at 27-23 after a 3 from Claire Gritt, her second make of the day from deep. But USD made its move from there, closing the half with a 15-3 run over the final 3:49 to take a 16-point lead into the half, 42-26.
 
Third Quarter:
A scoring outburst from South Dakota in the third put this one away, outscoring the Crimson and Gold 31-20 in the quarter to take a 73-46 lead.
 
Fourth Quarter:
DU closed the final 10 minutes of the contest refusing to go away, outscoring the Coyotes 28-16.

Up Next:
Denver gets a bye week this upcoming week and returns to action to host Oral Roberts for a pair of games on Jan. 15-16.
 
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
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