DENVER – The Denver women's basketball team fell, 59-50, to the Air Force Falcons in its season opener on Monday night in Hamilton Gymnasium.

Coryn Watts led the Pioneers' offense with 19 points. Laia Monclova added nine points, eight rebounds and three assists and Brooke Murrell contributed nine points and seven boards.

Denver pulled ahead early, with a 10-4 lead at the halfway mark of the first quarter. Watts led the Pioneers offensively, going 4-for-4 with 11 points in the first quarter, giving the Pioneers a 16-10 lead after the first quarter.

Air Force made adjustments after the first quarter to hold DU scoreless for a majority of the second quarter to take a 22-20 lead. The Pioneers continued to struggle offensively and the Falcons went on a 14-0 run in the quarter to extend the lead to 28-20. Murrell ended the scoring drought for Denver with a three-pointer at the buzzer, retaking the offensive momentum for the Pioneers. Watts put an exclamation point on
Denver's 7-0 run with a steal and score with 19 seconds left in the half, taking a 28-27 deficit into the locker room at the half.

Monclova cashed in on the and-one opportunity to tie the game, 34-34, at the 6:15 mark. Watts continued to provide the offense for Denver, going coast to coast to give the Pioneers their first lead since the 6:07 mark of the second. The Pioneers continued to give up second and third opportunities and Air Force took a 46-40 advantage into the final frame.

Denver battled through the fourth quarter, but were held scoreless for over three minutes and ultimately fell to Air Force, 59-50.

The Pioneers travel west to take on UC San Diego on Friday and Loyola Marymount on Sunday.