The Pioneers snapped a three-game losing streak and collected two wins last week, defeating Louisiana-Lafayette 71-47 at home Wednesday and the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks 57-53 on Saturday.
The Pioneers improve to 18-11 overall and 10-5 in the Sun Belt Conference with the victories.
On Wednesday, Denver topped the Ragin’ Cajuns for the second time this month, adding to their 76-39 road win on Feb. 1.
“ULL started the game with good intensity, but we were able to gain a lead midway through the first half and never let them threaten it,” said head coach Erik Johnson.
The Pioneers led 37-21 at half and began the second half with a 14-0 run to go up 51-21. Their lead was never less than 20 points following the run.
The underclassmen were able to dominate throughout the game, as freshman Morgan Van Riper-Rose led the team with a career-high 21 points and four assists. Fellow freshman Jordan Johnston, redshirt freshman Chaunise Powell and sophomore Alison Janecek were also big contributors.
Johnston had nine points, six rebounds and a season-high six assists; Janecek finished with season-highs of nine points and six rebounds; and Powell chipped in with eight points. Sophomore Maiya Michel also had eight points and led the team in rebounds with seven. Junior Emiko Smith dished a team-leading nine assists.
“A big part of our game tonight was assists, having the ability to create shots for other people; that’s Denver basketball,” said Johnson.
With the Pioneers holding a big lead, Johnson gave an opportunity to some of his younger players, resting some of his injured veterans. Redshirt junior Morgan Shell did not dress due to back and hamstring injuries and the team is still hoping for the return of sophomore Quincey Noonan, who is out with a broken hand.
The game on Saturday was the 26th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day and celebration of the Play4Kay Pink Night.
NGSWD is celebrated to recognize girls and women who are participating and making an impact in sports throughout history, as well as today. In honor of their contributions, DU women’s basketball held a free clinic the morning before the game. Those who attended the game Saturday afternoon were encouraged to wear pink in support of Play4Kay and breast cancer awareness. Play4Kay was created in honor of legendary women’s NCAA basketball coach Kay Yow and her inspiring fight against cancer.
On Saturday, the Pioneers were led in scoring by senior forward Kaetlyn Murdoch, who had 20 points, shooting 8 for 13 from the field; she also contributed seven blocks and five rebounds. Smith added 11 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
As the 57-53 score suggests, the game was close, with the teams trading baskets during the first half. At intermission, the Pioneers were up 31-20. The score continued to go back and forth throughout the majority of the second half, until the Crimson and Gold pulled away with just a few minutes left in regulation and held on to their four-point lead.
“I think we did a really good job of congesting their drives, keeping them off the glass and forcing them to take more difficult shots,” said Johnson. “We kept the ball out of the hands of their all-conference forward and despite not playing the greatest offensive game, we scored enough points to win.”
The final game of the regular season will be at home against North Texas this Sunday. The Pioneers will celebrate senior night during Sunday’s contest, commemorating the seniors’ final regular season game in Magness Arena.
