DENVER – The University of Denver women's basketball team got a career-high 27 points from Emma Smith and a career-high 20 more off the bench from Angelina Robles to take the Pioneers past North Dakota State 83-71 on Saturday afternoon inside Hamilton Gymnasium.
Following the game, Denver honored seniors Sophia Zulich, Tsimba Malonga, Makayla Minett, Mikayla Brandon and Ally Haar.
The Pioneers (11-15, 7-8) had three players score in double figures, led by Smith, who had 27 points and two steals. Robles tacked on 20 points and Mikayla Brandon chipped in as well with 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.
DU grabbed 35 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to North Dakota State's 33, led by Brandon's seven boards. The Pioneers also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 10 rebounds into nine second chance points.
The Pioneers shot well on Saturday, going 48.1% from the field, including 8-of-16 from beyond the arc (50%). Denver's defense held North Dakota State to only 37.1 percent shooting from the field, including 29.4 percent from beyond the arc.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 5-2 advantage, Denver went on a 6-0 run with 8:28 left in the first quarter to increase its lead to 11-2. The Pioneers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 19-11 advantage. Denver did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 19 points close to the basket.
The Pioneers maintained their lead in the game's second frame and entered halftime with a 39-32 edge. Denver dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 20 points close to the basket.
Denver continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 6-0 run to expand its lead further to 59-50 with 1:43 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Bison had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Pioneers still entered the fourth quarter with a 59-55 edge. Denver knocked down four three-pointers in the quarter to score 12 of its 20 total points.
Denver started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Smith's three, to grow the lead to 66-55 with 8:01 to go in the contest. The Pioneers kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 83-71 win. Denver got up and down the court quickly in the quarter, scoring nine fast break points.
GAME NOTES:
- Denver scored 83 points on Saturday, its first 80+ point game since January 26, 2023 against Oral Roberts.
- The Pioneers shot 48.1% from the field, the first time Denver finished over 45% from the field since December 12, 2022 against Colorado Christian.
- Denver shot 50% from beyond the arc, its first 50% or better day from three since February 8, 2020 against Purdue Fort Wayne.
- The Pioneers knocked down 25 free-throws in the game, its most since 26 against Kansas City in January of last year.
- Emma Smith finished with a career-high 27 points.
- Smith's 20+ point game was her fourth of her freshman season.
- Smith finished in double figures for the second-straight game and the 17th time in her freshman campaign.
- Angelina Robles finished with a career-high 20 points.
- Robles finished in double figures for the third time in her freshman season.
- Mikayla Brandon finished with 11 points and a career-high six assists.
- Brandon finished in double figures for the 14th time this season and the 25th time in her career.
- Brandon finished with 5+ assists for the second time in her career.
- Makayla Minett had five blocks on Saturday.
- Minett had 5+ blocks for the third time this season.
UP NEXT: Denver will end the regular season with three-straight road games, beginning with a trip to South Dakota State on Thursday at 6 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.
