Despite a career high 24-point performance by senior guard Tyesha Lowery, the DU women’s basketball team narrowly lost to Western Kentucky Saturday, 73-68.

The loss ends the Pioneers’ nine-game winning streak at home and brings their overall record to 12-8.

Both teams started the game with intensity. The Pioneers quickly grabbed a 7-6 lead, but two free throws and back-to-back layups put Western Kentucky ahead 7-12. The Pioneers never regained the lead.

Midway through the first period, Western Kentucky stretched its advantage to eight points, the largest of the game. Denver rallied back, and at halftime the score stood 27-32.

Although the Pioneers’ defense forced six turnovers in the second period, Denver could not close the gap. A layup by Lowery with nine minutes remaining brought the Pioneers to within one point, but Western Kentucky answered with a three pointer to make the score 50-54.

At the three-minute mark Denver trailed again by eight. But with 32 seconds remaining, Denver trimmed the deficit to only three points.

Unfortunately, two free throws and a breakaway layup sealed the game for Western Kentucky.

“Every time we got close, we made a mental mistake, something to bring us down,” said Lowery.

Head Coach Pam Tanner lamented the loss.

“We played relatively well. If we had had three or four more defensive positions, we might have won that game,”she said.

However, both Lowery and Tanner remain confident in the team’s success.

“Our defense is one of the top defenses in the country, and we’re playing well together,” said Lowery.

Tanner praised Lowery’s career-high achievement.

“Ty was able to get past a lot of people. She plays like the senior leader that she is,” Tanner said.

The women’s basketball team next faces Middle Tennessee on the road Wednesday, Jan. 31st at 6 p.m.