DENVER – The University of Denver women's basketball team fought hard before falling late to North Dakota, 75-70 on Saturday in Hamilton Gymnasium. The Pioneers spilt the season series with the Fighting Hawks despite having only six players available for both games.

Inside the Box Score:

• Uju Ezeudu and Anna Jackson each had a team-high 23 points
• Tsimba Malonga scored a career-high 16 points in the loss.
• Meghan Boyd added 11 points in limited minutes due to foul trouble.
• Julie Fleecs led the Fighting Hawks with a game-high 23 points and 14 rebounds.

Significant Stats:

• Denver played only six players for a second straight day.
• The Crimson and Gold tied a season high with 12 made 3s in the contest, fourth time this year with that many.

Turning Point:
A 14-6 run over a 3:08 stretch midway through the fourth quarter that took it from 58-58 to 72-64 in favor of UND.
 
As it Happened:
First Quarter:
Denver set the tone early despite having limited players, racing out to a 22-13 advantage in the first 10 minutes. The Pioneers were hot from deep, going 3-for-7 from 3.  DU also had it going on the other end of the court, limiting UND to 13 points on 5-for-18 shooting.

Second Quarter:
North Dakota took control of the quarter to fight its way back into a tie game by the half. The Fighting Hawks were able to limit the Crimson and Gold to just three made field goals during the 10-minute quarter.
 
Third Quarter:
UND built off its successful second quarter to build an eight-point advantage over the course the third. North Dakota had its best scoring output of the game, erupting for 23 points, while Denver was limited to 31.3 percent shooting (5-for-16) for 15 points, second straight quarter with 15 or less.

Fourth Quarter:
Fireworks flew in the final 10 minutes of action, as both teams got it going offensively. Pioneers had their best quarter of the afternoon, going 24 points, with 13 coming from the foul line after the Fighting Hawks have upped the physicality of the game, causing it to get chippy between the two teams. UND made its move with a 14-6 run over a three-minute stretch late that pushed its lead to eight with 43 seconds left in regulation. Denver was forced to play the foul game to give itself a chance but couldn't get closer than four after that.

Up Next:
Denver (5-11, 3-5 Summit League) heads off to Macomb, Ill. for a two-game series, starting on Feb. 12. Tip is set for 3:30 PM MT.
 
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