FLORENCE, AL --The Denver women's basketball team held North Alabama to just 11.1 percent from behind the arc in a 2-for-18 shooting performance on the way to a 67-51 win over the Lions on Friday in Alabama.
The Pioneers (1-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Makayla Minett, who had 16 points and six rebounds. Lauren With added 14 points off of the bench and Emma Smith chipped in as well with a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Denver utilized fantastic ball movement in Friday's game, piling up 17 assists on 28 made field goals. Individually, Jordan Jones led the way for the Pioneers with six assists.
The Denver defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Friday's game, forcing 19 North Alabama turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 17 points on the offensive end of the floor. Smith's five steals led the way individually for the Pioneers.
How It Happened
After falling behind 11-4, Denver went on a 10-0 run with 3:35 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from With, to take a 14-11 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Denver did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 14 points close to the basket.
Denver kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 4:47 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Minett, to increase its lead to 26-19. The Pioneers proceeded to tack on one point to that lead and enjoyed a 29-21 advantage heading into halftime. Denver dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 15 points close to the basket.
Denver wasted no time building on its lead, going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a three from Jones, to expand its lead further to 36-21 with 8:29 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Lions had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Pioneers still entered the fourth quarter with a 46-37 edge. Denver knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 17 total points.
Denver started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Smith's layup, to grow the lead to 53-37 with 8:15 to go in the contest. The Pioneers held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 67-51 win. Denver took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 16 of its 21 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Emma Smith notched a double-double for the Pioneers with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
» The Pioneers held the Lions to only 32.8 percent shooting from the field.
» The Pioneers never trailed after taking a 14-11 first quarter lead.
» Denver tallied 17 total assists in the game.
» Denver had a great day defensively, holding North Alabama to 11 percent from beyond the arc on 18 attempts.
» The Denver bench made an impact by scoring 27 points.
» Denver had a 37-36 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Denver defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Denver cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Makayla Minett led the Pioneers with a game-high 16 points.
» Denver got a game-high 11 rebounds from Emma Smith.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
