DENVER – The University of Denver women's basketball team had four players finish in double figures, but fell to Oral Roberts 93-83 on Thursday night inside Hamilton Gymnasium.
The Pioneers (7-14, 3-7) were led by Emma Smith, who had 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Makayla Minett added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Mary Wilson helped out with 12 points off the bench and Mikayla Brandon added 10.
How It Happened
After falling behind 22-16, Denver went on a 5-0 run with 54 seconds left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Cheyenne Forney, to narrow its deficit to 22-21, a score that would hold for the rest of the period.
Oral Roberts kept adding to that lead, building a 32-27 advantage before Denver went on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Minett, to tie the game at 32. Oral Roberts then took control, putting the Pioneers at a 53-43 disadvantage heading into halftime.
ORU continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 70-59 advantage before Denver went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Wilson, to trim its deficit to 70-64 with 1:55 to go in the third. Oral Roberts countered and stretched its lead to 73-66 heading into the fourth. Denver played well near the basket, scoring 16 of its 23 points in the paint.
Denver could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 93-83. Denver fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 17 points.
GAME NOTES:
- Denver finished the game with 15 three-pointers made.
- The Pioneers made 11 three-pointers in the first half, including five by Emma Smith. Denver's 11 first-half three-pointers matched its second-half total against Texas A&M Corpus Christi in the 2021 Denver Thanksgiving Classic.
- Denver's 15 made threes was its most in a game since that same Corpus Christi game.
- The Pioneers combined for 23 assists, the third time this season Denver has had 20+ assists.
- Denver finished with four players in double figures for the 20th time under third-year head coach Doshia Woods.
- It is the fourth time this season and the first time since at North Dakota on January 14.
- Emma Smith finished with 18 points.
- Smith finished in double figures for the second-straight game and the 13th time in her freshman season.
- Smith also finished with six assists, her second game this season with 5+ assists.
- Mikayla Brandon finished with 10 points.
- Brandon finished in double figures for the 11th time this season and the 22nd time in her career.
- Makayla Minett finished with her sixth double-double of the season and of her career.
- Minett finished with 13 points.
- Minett finished in double figures for the seventh time this season and the 11th time in her career.
- Minett finished with 10 rebounds.
- Minett finished with double digit rebounds for the 10th time this season and the 16th time in her career.
- Mary Wilson finished with 12 points.
- Wilson finished in double figures for the fourth time this season and of her career.
- Ally Haar finished with six assists.
- Haar had 5+ assists for the ninth time this season and the 12th time in her career.
UP NEXT: Denver will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when the Pioneers wrap-up a five-game homestand on Saturday when they host Kansas City. Tip is set for 1 p.m. MT.
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.
