DENVER, CO --The Denver women's basketball team went into the half leading North Dakota 30-27, but fell 78-68 to the Fighting Hawks at home Saturday.
The Pioneers (4-14, 1-4) had four players score in double figures, led by Emily Counsel, who tied her career-high with 21 points and two steals. Emma Smith tacked on 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals and Angelina Robles helped out with 12 points, five assists and two steals.
The Denver offense was very productive from beyond the arc, making 11 threes on 34 attempts. Counsel was the most prolific shooter for the Pioneers, draining five treys in the contest.
The Denver defense caused its share of mistakes in Saturday's game, forcing 19 North Dakota turnovers while committing 18. Those takeaways turned into 17 points on the other end of the floor. Smith's four steals led the way individually for the Pioneers.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 3-2 advantage, Denver went on a 7-0 run with 6:15 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Counsel, to increase its lead to 10-2. The Pioneers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 16-10 advantage. Denver relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 16 points.
Denver kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 7:38 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 25-14. The Fighting Hawks cut into that lead, but the Pioneers still enjoyed a 30-27 advantage heading into halftime. Denver was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 14 points.
Denver then lost its advantage in the third quarter and trailed the Fighting Hawks 58-42 entering the fourth. Denver scored three fast break points in the quarter.
North Dakota kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 63-46 advantage before Denver went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Counsel's three, to shrink the deficit to 63-52 with 6:32 to go in the contest. The Pioneers kept their comeback going, but North Dakota managed to hold on for the 78-68 win. Denver took advantage of nine North Dakota turnovers in the quarter, scoring 10 points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» Denver found success from beyond the arc, knocking down 11 treys in the game.
» The Pioneers shared the ball well, recording an assist on 73 percent of made baskets.
» The Denver defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Emily Counsel led the Pioneers with a game-high 21 points.
» Denver got a team-high eight rebounds from Emma Smith.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
