DENVER -- The University of Denver women's basketball team battled throughout but ultimately fell to South Dakota State, 71-55, on Senior Day in Hamilton Gymnasium.
Coryn Watts led the Pioneers with 26 points and a career-high 8 three pointers,
Brooke Murrell added eight points and five rebounds while
Laia Monclova recorded seven points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists.
Denver struggled to find its rhythm early, going scoreless for more than two minutes to open the game but held South Dakota State to just a 2-0 lead to start. Watts put the Pioneers on the board with a three-pointer for a brief 3-2 edge, but Denver was often forced into late-clock attempts. Another Watts three cut the deficit to 15-10, though the Jackrabbits carried a 17-10 lead into the second quarter after a physical opening period.
The Pioneers responded with energy to start the second, using a strong run to trim the margin to 19-18. Back-to-back steals fueled the surge, and a deep three from Watts pulled Denver within single digits at the halfway mark of the quarter. South Dakota State answered out of the media timeout, however, stretching the lead to 31-23 and taking a 33-23 advantage into halftime.
A 10-1 run spanning the end of the second quarter and the start of the third put the game just out of reach for the Pioneers. Denver was held scoreless for more than two minutes as the Jackrabbits extended the lead to 38-24. Watts knocked down another three-pointer late in the third, but the Pioneers trailed 52-34 heading to the final period.
South Dakota State opened the fourth on a 10-0 run while Denver again endured a prolonged scoring drought. Watts hit three late three-pointers to provide a spark, but the deficit proved too large as the Pioneers dropped the contest, 71-55.
UP NEXT: The Pioneers travel to Omaha on Saturday in their regular season finale against the Mavericks.
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