GREELEY, Colo. -- The University of Denver women's basketball team earned the 56-53 win over in-state rival Northern Colorado on Friday night in Greeley. 

The win marks the first for the Pioneers in Greeley since Nov. 30, 2011, when Denver defeated Northern Colorado, 66-57.

"I thought we did a great job in the fourth quarter," head coach Doshia Woods said. "Keeping our composure and outscoring them 18-9 ... Really proud of this gritty road win and incredibly proud of the team effort from start to finish."

Coryn Watts led the Denver offense with her fourth double-digit performance of the season with 18 points. The sophomore guard made an impact defensively with a team-high five steals.

Ana Conde added a season-high 10 points with two rebounds and three assists. Laia Monclova recorded another well-rounded performance with eight points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist.

Defensively, Brook Murrell led DU with seven rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Northern Colorado won the opening tip, but Denver struck first with back-to-back jumpers from Conde for an early 4–2 edge. Tori Baker knocked down DU's first three of the night at the five-minute mark, helping steady the offense despite three early turnovers. A couple of late UNC fouls sent the Pioneers to the line, and the resulting free throws helped Denver close the quarter ahead 18-15.

The Pioneers locked in defensively to start the second, holding UNC scoreless for the first two minutes. A three from Watts stretched the lead to 23–15 before the Bears responded. Denver went cold for nearly five minutes, allowing a 10–0 UNC run. The Bears then faced a scoreless stretch of their own, giving DU a chance to chip back, but UNC tied the game, 29–29, in the final minute of the half.

Watts opened the second half with another three, but UNC quickly grabbed a 35–34 lead at the six-minute mark. A turnover by Conde turned into points on the other end as the Bears extended their advantage to three. Denver went more than six minutes without a field goal, and UNC pushed the lead to 42–34 before a Watts layup finally halted the drought with 1:32 left. DU entered the fourth trailing 44-38. 

Denver flipped the momentum with a huge 10-0 run sparked by Coryn Watts to reclaim the lead, 46–44. The Pioneers kept pushing, outscoring UNC 17–4 during a stretch that featured another three-minute scoreless spell for the Bears. UNC fought back late, trimming the margin to one with just one second remaining, but Watts knocked down both free throws after a Bears foul with 10 seconds remaining, sealing a 56-53 win for Denver.

Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of Denver's NCAA Division I sports.-
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Women's Basketball on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_Whoops on Twitter
Follow @denverpioneers and @du_whoops on Instagram