DENVER, CO -- Jordan Jones, Emma Smith and Makayla Minett combined to score 42 of Denver's 53 total points, but the Pioneers fell to the South Alabama Jaguars, 62-53, at home Saturday.

Jones led the Pioneers (1-4) with 17 points and three steals. Smith added 13 points and three steals and Minett chipped in the eighth double-double of her career with 12 points and 16 rebounds.

Led by Minett's eight offensive rebounds, Denver did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 16 boards that resulted in 13 second chance points.

The Denver defense held South Alabama shooters to just 35.7 percent from the field, including 13.3 percent from three-point range.

How It Happened

Denver kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 13-9.

The Pioneers continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 27-16 halftime deficit.

Denver came out of halftime on fire, going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Emily Counsel, to trim its deficit to 27-21 with 8:31 to go in the third. South Alabama countered and stretched its lead to 47-38 heading into the fourth. Denver played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 22 points in the paint.

Denver could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 62-53. Denver took advantage of seven South Alabama turnovers in the quarter, scoring eight points off of those takeaways.

Game Notes

» Makayla Minett notched a double-double for the Pioneers with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
» The Pioneers held the Jaguars to only 35.7 percent shooting from the field.
» The Pioneers put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 62 percent of made baskets.
» Jordan Jones, Emma Smith, and Makayla Minett combined to account for 79 percent of the Pioneers points.
» Denver played solid perimeter defense, holding South Alabama to 13 percent from beyond the arc on 15 attempts.
» The Denver defense forced 18 turnovers.
» The Pioneers were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Denver cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 16 offensive boards in the game.
» Jordan Jones led the Pioneers with a game-high 17 points.
» Denver got a game-high 16 rebounds from Makayla Minett.

Denver Classic All-Tournament Team
Jordan Jones, Denver
Kinley Fisher, Central Arkansas
Claire Jacobs, Nevada
Lexie Givens, Nevada
Jordan Rosier, South Alabama

This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.