DENVER — Coryn Watts poured in a career-high 32 points, as Denver women's basketball secured a 76-71 victory over Cal Baptist on Friday in Hamilton Gymnasium.

Watts tied the ninth-most points in a single game in program history with 32 points, connecting on 11 of 25 shots including 5 of 10 from beyond the arc. Laia Monclova added 17 points and eight rebounds for the Pioneers, who led 60-57 entering the final period. Ana Conde chipped in a season-high 11 points.

The Pioneers weathered early turnovers before settling in offensively. After California Baptist jumped out to a 4-0 lead, Denver answered behind buckets from Murrell and Watts. Monclova capped the opening quarter with a 3-pointer to give the Pioneers an 18-16 edge after one.

Watts opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer to extend the lead, but the Lancers clawed back and tied the game at 23-23 midway through the period. Denver regained control late in the half as Watts knocked down another three and Medina added two free throws, sending the Pioneers into the break up 37-33.

The third quarter remained tightly contested. A technical foul and a California Baptist three briefly swung momentum, but Watts responded with her own triple. She later connected on her fourth 3-pointer of the afternoon to push Denver ahead, and Monclova followed with a pair of baskets to help build a 52-47 advantage. Strong play in the paint and back-to-back steals allowed Denver to carry a 60-57 lead into the fourth.

Denver briefly stretched the margin to six early in the final quarter behind a 3-pointer from Conde and a string of defensive stops led by Anna Rosenberger, but the Lancers responded with an 8-0 run to tie the game at 65-65 with five minutes remaining.

After three scoreless minutes for the Pioneers, Watts delivered again, drilling a go-ahead 3-pointer with just under two minutes left. Conde followed with another triple to make it 74-71. CBU battled to the buzzer but Denver sealed the 76-71 heading into conference play. 

UP NEXT: The Pioneers open Summit League play on January 1 in Hamilton Gymnasium against North Dakota. 

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