It was a valiant effort in the second half by the University of Denver women’s basketball team Saturday afternoon but ultimately the surge was not enough to defeat the in-conference South Dakota State Jackrabbits. The freshman class led the way for the Crimson and Gold, contributing 52 of the team’s 64 points, but the team fell, 74-64.
Denver got off to a rocky start in the first quarter and had no answer to the Jackrabbits’ interior offense. South Dakota State outscored the Crimson and Gold by 14 in the first quarter and did not allow a basket until halfway through. Denver shot 2 for 9 to start the game.
The defensive woes continued for DU as they let the Jackrabbits run the paint. The Jackrabbits were 10 for 18 in the second quarter and pushed their first-half lead at one point to 24. DU produced more buckets in the second quarter, going 6 for 13 from the field and making the first 3-point shot of the game.
Halftime brought a completely different mentality for the Crimson and Gold. The team showed more confidence shooting the ball and driving toward the basket. They scored 23 points in the third quarter and made three 3-point shots to cut the lead down to nine to end the quarter. Head Coach Doshia Woods described the team’s resilience in the second half and the way they fought back into the contest.
“That’s what you can always expect from our team: a lot of resilience and a lot of fight,” she said. “As long as there is time on the clock, we still have a chance.”
The freshmen of the team led the way throughout the second half and provided almost all of the scoring for DU. Freshman forward Mikenzie Jones (Aurora, Colo.) dropped a team-high 20 points, her season high. Jones was instrumental in the second-half surge for the Crimson and Gold, potting 11 points in the second half.
The fourth quarter was led by freshman guard Madelyn Atkins (Beebe, Ark.) and freshman guard Angelina Robles (San Diego, Cali.) who helped cut the lead down to five. The two guards combined for 15 of the 20 points scored in the fourth quarter by DU. Robles was tremendous inside the paint and at drawing fouls, while Atkins was able to knock down two 3-pointers. Head Coach Woods commented on the great play of her two freshman guards.
“They really have done a great job coming in. And it was nice to see what I have been seeing in practice and see them get rewarded in the game,” she said.
The Jackrabbits came back with their own offensive surge in the fourth quarter and put a halt to the momentum of the Crimson and Gold. The final score of the contest was 74-64.
After falling to a 7-12 record on the year, the team will continue Summit League play with another slate of matches at home. They take on South Dakota Monday night, Oral Roberts Thursday night and Kansas City Saturday afternoon, all at Hamilton Gymnasium.
