GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of Denver women's basketball team played its final game before a five-game homestand on Saturday, falling to North Dakota 68-57 at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
The Pioneers (7-10, 3-3) had four players score in double figures, led by Mikayla Brandon, who had a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Ally Haar tacked on 11 points and six assists and Makayla Minett chipped in as well with 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Madelyn Atkins rounded out Denver's double figure scorers with a career-high 10 off the bench.
How It Happened
After falling behind 6-5, Denver went on a 5-0 run with 5:52 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Brandon, to take a 10-6 lead. North Dakota then responded to tie things up at 17-17 heading into the second quarter. Denver relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 17 points.
North Dakota then took a 34-27 lead before Denver responded by going on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 34. North Dakota then took control, putting the Pioneers at a 40-36 disadvantage heading into halftime.
Denver's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Pioneers faced a 52-42 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. The two teams combined for 3-of-24 shooting and 18 total points in the quarter (11 free-throws).
The Pioneers came out of the third quarter break well, going on a 5-0 run with five-straight from Brandon, to shrink the deficit to 52-47 with 9:04 to go in the contest. North Dakota responded and outscored the Pioneers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 68-57.
GAME NOTES:
- Denver had four players finish in double figures for the third time this season, and the 19th time in three years under head coach Doshia Woods.
- The Pioneers made 9+ triples for the ninth time in the last 10 games.
- Mikayla Brandon finished with her fifth double-double of the season and the eighth of her career.
- Brandon finished with 14 points, getting into double figures for the ninth time this season and the 20th time in her career.
- Brandon also pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds. Brandon had double-digit rebounds for the seventh time this season and the 18th time in her career.
- Ally Haar finished with 11 points, getting in double figures for the fourth-straight game, the ninth time this season and the 32nd time in her collegiate career.
- Haar also distributed six assists, her seventh time this season and the 10th time of her career that she's finished with 5+ assists.
- Madelyn Atkins finished with a career-high 10 points, the first double figure game of her career.
- Makayla Minett finished in double figures with 10 on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting. Saturday marked Minett's sixth game this season in double figures and the 10th of her career.
UP NEXT: Denver will return home Monday to start a five-game homestand. The Pioneers will take on Omaha in a Monday Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee at 1 p.m. MT inside Hamilton Gymnasium.
TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for the 2022-23 season are available now, and can be purchased here.
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.
