BROOKINGS, SD -- Jordan Jones, Emma Smith and Coryn Watts combined to score 30 of Denver's 37 total points, but the Pioneers fell to the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 71-37 on the road Thursday.

Jones led the Pioneers (8-20, 1-14) with 13 points and six rebounds. Smith added nine points and two steals and Watts helped out with eight points and two steals off the bench.

The Denver defense was a problem in Thursday's game, forcing 14 South Dakota State turnovers while committing 12. Those takeaways turned into 11 points on the other end of the floor. Laia Monclova led the way individually for the Pioneers with two steals.

How It Happened

Denver struggled out of the gate, falling behind 13-7 at the end of the first quarter.

The Pioneers continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 34-12 halftime deficit.

South Dakota State continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 48-19 advantage before Denver went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Watts, to trim its deficit to 48-25 with five seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Denver took advantage of eight South Dakota State turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of takeaways.

Denver could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 71-37. Denver fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 12 points.

Game Notes

» The Pioneers shared the ball well, recording an assist on 67 percent of made baskets.
» Jordan Jones, Emma Smith, and Coryn Watts combined to account for 81 percent of the Pioneers points.
» The Denver defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Jordan Jones led the Pioneers with 13 points.
» Denver got a team-high six rebounds from Jordan Jones.

This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.