In the last 23 seconds of the game, the Pioneers made a last minute effort to overcome the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans but failed in doing so with an overshot three pointer. The score was 45-41 after the Trojans scored a final free throw in the last three seconds Sunday afternoon.
The Pioneers were up for the first two minutes of the game but soon fell behind the Trojans for the remainder of the game.
UALR (11-5, 3-2 SBC) outscored Denver by 11 to make the score 27-18 at the end of the first half.
The Pioneers (5-11, 05 SBC) battled back in the second half to outscore the Trojans by five points, but it was not enough for the win.
“I think it is really inconsistent so far,” said Head Coach Pam Tanner of this year’s season. “Talent-wise our team is similar to last years but we have a difference in the point guard position this year. It is a struggle to be consistent. Game in and game out it changes for us. Last Tuesday we beat a team and scored 101 points and today we only scored 41. Our range of consistency is the biggest challenge.”
The highest scorer of the game was junior forward Nnenna Akotaobi with 15 points.
The DU player with the most steals and second most points was junior guard Andie Mason with three steals and eight points, two of which were three pointers. Denver made 6-21 three point shots compared to the Trojans 2-9.
“We need to keep doing what we are doing and work on our offense,” said Tanner of what the team needs to improve upon in order to have a winning record. “We need to do things well, stay consistent and don’t lose focus.”
The women’s basketball team has yet to win one of its six away games and has seven remaining in the season.
“Being away from home, traveling, missed class time and sitting in a hotel room all day waiting to play at night are all challenges of away games,” said Tanner of why the Pioneers have struggled to win an away game so far this season. “Every team in the nation does it though.”
Denver started the season with a home match against perenial power and No. 10 Duke. DU led 27-25 at halftime, but went on to lose 57-37.
The Pioneers then lost at Air Force, but rebounded with wins at home against Montana State and Colorado State.
Since the victory against the Rams the Pioneers have gone a disapointing 3-9.
Junior Nnenna Akotaobi is leading the team in scoring averaging 12.8 points per game, while senior forward Sara Benham is not far behind averaging 10.6 ppg and 4 rebounds a game. Also senior Brooke Meyer has hit a team-high 22 three-pointers while dishing out 45 assists in 16 games.
The Pioneers will play at home Thursday against Arkansas State in Magness Arena at 5 p.m.
