LOS ANGELES, CA --Emma Smith scored 20 points, but the Denver women's basketball team fell to the Loyola Marymount Lions 79-61 on the road Thursday.

The Pioneers (1-5) had two players score in double figures, led by Smith, who had 20 points and three steals. Emily Counsel tacked on 15 points and Makayla Minett added five points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

Denver took advantage of excellent ball movement in Thursday's game, piling up 15 assists on 21 made field goals. Individually, Angelina Robles dished out the most for the Pioneers with five assists.

How It Happened

Denver struggled out of the gate, falling behind 25-18 at the end of the first quarter.

The Pioneers and Lions then played an even second quarter making the halftime score 37-30 in favor of Loyola Marymount.

Loyola Marymount continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 54-39 advantage before Denver went on a 6-0 run to trim its deficit to 54-45 with zero seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Denver knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 15 total points.

Loyola Marymount kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 71-50 advantage before Denver went on a 5-0 run to shrink the deficit to 71-55 with 4:30 to go in the contest. Loyola Marymount responded and outscored the Pioneers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 79-61. Denver took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 16 points in the paint.

Game Notes

» The Pioneers put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 71 percent of made field goals.
» Emma Smith led the Pioneers with 20 points.
» Denver got a team-high nine rebounds from Makayla Minett.

This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.