DENVER – The University of Denver women's basketball team raced out to a 19-4 start and out-rebounded Western Illinois 54-31 en-route to a 70-58 victory on the program's second annual Pride Day Saturday inside Hamilton Gymnasium. Denver improved to 3-1 in Summit League play for the first time since the 2018-19 league campaign.
The Pioneers (7-8, 3-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Emma Smith, who put together a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Ally Haar tacked on 18 points and Mikayla Brandon added a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Denver out-rebounded Western Illinois 54-31 in Saturday's game, led by 12 boards from Makayla Minett. The Pioneers also pulled down 15 offensive rebounds and scored 17 second chance points.
The Denver defense held Western Illinois shooters to just 32.3 percent from the field, including 20.7 percent from three-point range.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 6-4 advantage, Denver went on a 13-0 run with 6:45 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Haar, to increase its lead to 19-4. The Pioneers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 24-13 advantage. Denver relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 24 points.
Denver kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 54 seconds mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Brandon, to increase its lead to 39-27, a score that would hold until halftime.
After intermission, Denver held on to its advantage and owned a 52-44 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Denver played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 13 points in the paint, and the other five from the free-throw line.
Denver kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to 63-50 with 1:51 to go in the contest. The Leathernecks narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Pioneers still cruised the rest of the way for the 70-58 win. Denver fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 18 points.
Game Notes
- Emma Smith recorded her first career double-double on Saturday afternoon, finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
- Smith finished in double figures for the third-straight game and the 11th time in her freshman campaign.
- Smith finished with double-digit rebounds for the first time in her career.
- Mikayla Brandon recorded her fourth double-double of the season and the seventh of her career, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
- Brandon finished in double figures for the second-straight game, the fifth time in the last six games, the eighth time this season and the 19th time in her career.
- Brandon had double-digit rebounds for the sixth time this season and the 17th time in her career.
- Brandon had a career-high three blocks before halftime. Brandon finished with four blocks in the contest.
- Brandon finished with a +/- of +20.
- Ally Haar finished in double figures for the second-straight game, the sixth time in seven games, the seventh time this season and the 30th time in her career.
- Makayla Minett finished with double-digit rebounds for the ninth time this season and the 15th time in her career.
- Denver had 50+ rebounds for the first time since a triple-overtime win at Butler a year ago. It was the first time Denver had 50+ rebounds in a regulation game since February 29, 2020 against Western Illinois.
- The Pioneers rebounding margin of +23 was their best since finishing +25 on the glass (58-33) on November 29, 2019 against UC Irvine.
- Denver finished with double-digit triples for the fifth time in the last six games. The Pioneers have at least nine three-pointers in each of their last eight contests.
- The Pioneers are 3-1 in Summit League play for the first time under head coach Doshia Woods, and the first time overall since the 2018-19 campaign.
- Denver has won back-to-back games against Western Illinois for the first time in the series that dates back to Denver joining the Summit League in 2014-15.
UP NEXT: Denver will head to North Dakota State on Thursday for a 6 p.m. MT tip.
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.
