KANSAS CITY, MO --Emma Smith and Jordan Jones both recorded double-doubles to lead the Denver women's basketball team past the UMKC Kangaroos 74-60 on the road Thursday.
The Pioneers (8-20, 5-10) had four players score in double figures, led by Smith, who had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jones tacked on a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Makayla Minett helped out with 12 points and three blocks.
Denver shared the ball well in Thursday's game, racking up 16 assists on 24 made field goals. Jones' seven assists paced the Pioneers.
The Denver defense held UMKC shooters to just 38.8 percent from the field, including 28.6 percent from three-point range. The Pioneers also kept Alayna Contreras to 6-of-20 shooting in the game.
How It Happened
After falling behind 10-9, Denver went on a 6-0 run with 3:49 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Mary Wilson, to take a 15-10 lead. The Pioneers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 20-16 advantage. Denver relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 20 points.
Denver built that first quarter lead to 31-20 before going on an 11-0 run starting at the 3:56 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Lauren With, to increase its lead to 42-20. The Kangaroos cut into that lead, but the Pioneers still enjoyed a 44-25 advantage heading into halftime. Denver was strong from deep in the period, knocking down four three-point shots to account for 12 of its 24 points.
Denver continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Emily Counsel, to expand its lead further to 54-34 with 5:31 to go in the third. The Pioneers held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 62-42 edge. Denver knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 18 total points.
The Pioneers then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. Denver took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring six of its 12 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Denver got double-doubles from both Emma Smith and Jordan Jones.
» Denver found success from beyond the arc, knocking down 12 treys in the game.
» The Pioneers held the Kangaroos to only 38.8 percent shooting from the field.
» The Pioneers never trailed after taking a 20-16 first quarter lead.
» Denver recorded 16 total assists in the game.
» Denver had a 41-35 edge on the boards in the win.
» Denver cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Emma Smith led the Pioneers with 16 points.
» Jordan Jones and Emma Smith led Denver with a game-high 11 rebounds apiece.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
