KANSAS CITY -- The University of Denver women's basketball team used a balanced offensive effort to defeat the Kansas City Roos, 79-63, on Wednesday night in Kansas City. 

The win marks the Pioneer's third regular-season sweep of the Roos in the last four seasons. 

Coryn Watts led the Pioneer offense with 25 points and seven assists, Laila McLeod tacked on a career-high 16 points with four triples while Brooke Murrell added 14 and Jocelyn Medina recorded 12. 

UMKC struck first at the nine-minute mark of the opening quarter and controlled much of the early tempo. In a physical first 10 minutes, the Roos built a 15-9 advantage with just under two minutes remaining and carried an 18-11 lead into the second quarter.

Denver responded to start the second with a three-pointer from Medina which an 8-0 run that flipped the deficit into a 19-18 Pioneers lead. The Pios found their rhythm from beyond the arc, knocking down three straight three-pointers midway through the period to stretch the margin to 30-22. Denver continued its hot shooting to take a 37-28 lead into halftime.

The Pioneers carried that momentum into the third quarter, opening on a 9-0 run while holding the Roos scoreless for more than two minutes. The burst pushed the lead to 46-29 and set the tone for the rest of the half. Denver maintained control on both ends, limiting Kansas City's opportunities and taking a 56-42 advantage into the final quarter.

McLeod opened the fourth with a three-pointer as Denver continued to answer every UMKC push. The Pioneers extended their lead to 75-60 with 2:37 to play before the Roos made one final run, scoring six straight during a brief Denver drought.Out of a  timeout, Murrell stopped the Roos' momentum with a layup, and the Pioneers locked down defensively, holding UMKC scoreless over the final two minutes to secure the 79-63 win.

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.