MOSCOW, Idaho  – The University of Denver women's basketball team scored 76 points in the final three quarters, including 32 in the third, but the Pioneers couldn't overcome a slow start in a 91-83 loss at Idaho on Thursday night at ICCU Arena.
 
Double-doubles by Makayla Minett, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Mikayla Brandon, who had 12 points and 12 rebounds, led the Pioneers (4-7) in the contest. Jojo Jones helped out with 22 points to lead Denver in scoring, while distributing a team-high five assists. Ally Haar rounded out the Pios in double figures with 18, knocking down seven of her eight free-throw attempts.
 
The Denver offense was impressive from three-point land, pouring in 11 threes on 26 attempts. Jones hit four treys for the Pioneers in the contest, helping Denver to a 7-of-8 mark from behind the arc in the third quarter.
 
How It Happened
Denver struggled out of the gate, falling behind 27-7 at the end of the first quarter after shooting 3-for-15 from the field in the opening 10 minutes.
 
The Pioneers and Vandals then played an even second quarter making the halftime score 47-27 in favor of Idaho.
 
After intermission, Denver cut its deficit to 60-51 before going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a three from Jones, to trim its deficit to 60-59 with 58 seconds to go in the third. Idaho countered and stretched its lead to 65-59 heading into the fourth. Denver knocked down seven three-pointers in the quarter to score 21 of its 32 total points from beyond the arc in the frame.
 
Idaho kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing an 83-71 advantage before Denver went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Ally Haar's three, to shrink the deficit to 83-76 with 3:51 to go in the contest. Idaho responded and outscored the Pioneers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 91-83. Denver took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 24 points in the paint in the fourth.
 
Game Notes

• Trailing by 24 with under 2:30 to go in the second quarter, the Pioneers cut the deficit all the way down to eight midway through the third quarter and to as little as one late in the third.
  • Denver was 7-for-8 from beyond the arc in the third quarter.
  • The Pioneers scored 27 points in the first half and 32 points in the third quarter.
  • Denver shot 9-11 from the field and 7-10 from the free-throw line in the quarter.
  • Denver's 32-point third quarter was its most points in a quarter since Nov. 21, 2019 vs. Colorado Christian (36 in 1^st quarter), and its most in a quarter against a Division I opponent since scoring 39 in the fourth quarter against Loyola Marymount on Dec. 1, 2018.
• Denver knocked down 20 free-throws for the first time since Feb. 5, 2022 (21-28).
• The Pioneers scored 80 points against a Division I opponent for the first time since scoring 100 at Butler Dec. 10, 2021.
  • It was the first time Denver scored 80 in a Division I game in regulation since Dec. 2, 2021 at UC Santa Barbara.
• Denver made double-digit three-pointers for the third time in four games.
• The Pioneers finished with four players in double figures for the second-consecutive game, the second time overall this season and the 18^th time in three seasons under head coach Doshia Woods.
• Jojo Jones (22) reached double figures for the second-straight game and the fifth time in her freshman campaign.
  • Jones had 5+ assists for the first time this season and is the second Pioneer to reach that mark in helpers this season.
  • Jones' 22 points were a season-high for the freshman.  
• Mikayla Brandon recorded her third double-double of the season and the sixth of her collegiate career (12-12).
  • Brandon scored in double figures for the second-straight game, the fifth time this season and the 16^th time in her career.
  • Brandon secured double-digit rebounds for the fifth time this season and the 16^th time in her career.  
• Makayla Minett recorded her third double-double of the season and of her career on Thursday (16-10).
  • Minett scored in double figures for the fourth time this season and the eighth time in her career.
  • Minett finished with double-digit rebounds for the sixth time this season and the 12^th time in her career.
• Ally Haar (18) finished in double figures for the third-straight game, the fourth time this season and the 27^th time of her career.

 
UP NEXT: Denver will open Summit League play on Wednesday when the Pioneers take on Omaha. Tip is set for 1 p.m. MT inside Hamilton Gymnasium.
 
TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for the 2022-23 season are available now, and can be purchased here. Season tickets start at just $59.  
 
LONG BALL ELITE: Back for a second season, the Denver women's basketball program is running its Long Ball Elite fundraiser in 2022-23. Fans in a position to donate, consider pledging a dollar amount per 3-pointer made by the DU Pioneers this season. Join the Long Ball Elite campaign today.
 
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This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.