DENVER – The University of Denver women's basketball team knocked down its first seven three-pointers, and after cooling off, picked it back up with a 21-point third quarter en-route to completing a season-sweep over Kansas City after a 69-60 win on Saturday afternoon inside Hamilton Gymnasium.
 
Madelyn Atkins scored 21 points to lead Denver (8-14, 4-7). Mikayla Brandon helped out with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds and Emma Smith chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals.
 
Denver shared the ball well in Saturday's game, racking up 15 assists on 22 made field goals. Smith's five assists paced the Pioneers and Ally Haar also added 13 points and four assists of her own.
 
Denver forced 16 UMKC turnovers while committing 11 themselves in Saturday's game. The Pioneers turned those takeaways into 15 points on the other end of the floor.
 
How It Happened
After falling behind 2-0, Denver went on a 12-0 run with 9:13 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Haar, to take a 12-2 lead. The Pioneers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 23-17 advantage. Denver relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down seven shots to account for 21 of its 23 points.
 
Denver kept its first quarter lead intact before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 6:43 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 35-25. The Roos cut into that lead, but the Pioneers still enjoyed a 35-34 advantage heading into halftime.
 
DU surrendered its halftime lead until, with the game tied at 44-44 they went on an 8-0 run to grab a 52-44 lead with 3:23 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Roos had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Pioneers still entered the fourth quarter with a 56-50 edge.
 
The Pioneers kept their lead intact before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Haar's jumper, to grow the lead to 65-53 with 4:26 to go in the contest. The Roos narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Pioneers still cruised the rest of the way for the 69-60 win. Denver took advantage of six UMKC turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off of those takeaways.
 
GAME NOTES:

• Denver made 7-for-7 from the field to start the game, all from three. Mikayla Brandon, Ally Haar and Madelyn Atkins all hit multiple threes in the run, and Emma Smith added a seventh. The seven triples came in the first 3:55 of the game (Denver led 21-5).
• DU had four players finish in double figures for the for the 21^st time under third-year head coach Doshia Woods. Saturday marked the fifth time this season and the second-straight game Denver had four in double-figures.
• The Pioneers had 13 offensive rebounds, converting them into 15 points.
  • Denver finished with double-digit offensive rebounds for the 15^th time in 22 games this season.
• Denver finished the game with 11 made triples.
  • The Pioneers had 9+ triples for the 13^th time in 22 games this season.
  • Denver made double digit triples for the ninth time this season.
• Madelyn Atkins finished with a season-high 21 points.
  • Atkins finished in double figures for the third time in her career on Saturday.
• Mikayla Brandon finished with her sixth double-double of the season and the ninth of her career.
  • Brandon finished with 16 points.
    • Brandon finished in double figures for the second-straight game, the 12^th time this season and the 23^rd time in her career.
  • Brandon pulled down 11 rebounds.
    • Brandon had double-figure rebounds for the eighth time this season and the 19^th time in her career.
• Ally Haar finished with 13 points
  • Haar finished in double figures for the 11^th time this season and the 34^th time in her career.
• Emma Smith finished with 11 points and five assists.
  • Smith finished in double figures for the third-straight game in the 14^th time in her freshman campaign.
  • Smith finished with 5+ assists for the second-straight game and the third time in her freshman campaign.

 
UP NEXT: Denver will return to the road for its first game away from home in 19 days on Thursday when the Pioneers take on Western Illinois. Tip in Macomb is set for 5 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.