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Pink laces, pink over shirts and pink-clad cheerleaders indicated there was something special going on last Wednesday at Magness Arena.
The Pioneer women’s basketball team not only defeated Louisiana-Monroe, 87-63, but also raised money for the Kay Yow and WBCA Cancer Fund.
The game was the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association’s annual Pink Zone event to raise awareness about breast cancer. The amount raised during the event was not available at print time.
The event is held across the country. The Pink Zone event began in 2007 with a former breast cancer survivor, North Carolina University’s head coach Kay Yow, after she survived three reoccurring instances of breast cancer. In 2007 the Pink Zone reached more than 120 schools that participated in the event.
Last year, there were over 1,800 participating colleges that helped raise over $1 million for breast cancer research.
Prior to tip off at Magness Arena, health care professionals offered free mammograms and information on breast cancer. These were provided by A Cure, Saint Joseph’s Hospital Breast Cancer Team and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
At the start of the game, the Pioneers’ starting line-up accompanied a breast cancer survivor down the court during the pre-introduction.
During timeouts, the cheerleaders and dancers mingled with the crowd and collected “Coins for Cancer.” Halftime included a special recognition for breast cancer survivors.
As for the game itself, the Pioneers won easily as senior forward Briana Culberson was responsible for 20 points and eight rebounds.
Junior forward Katelyn Murdoch was right behind Culberson with 16 points—all within the first 20 minutes of game, as well as making all six free throw shots.
During the second half, the DU women dominated the game with a high of 58 points—9 points shy of the Denver record.
“We kept shooting and did what we know works,” head coach Erik Johnson said. He was proud of “where we have come and we got a good contribution from everyone tonight.”
The Pioneers completed a perfect week walking away with a win on Sunday against USA with a final score of 63-43 on Senior Day.
The Pioneers won the game behind the contributions of seniors Culberson, who added 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Britteni Rice, who added 15 points.
The two seniors along with forward Abbey Leichliter were honored at halftime in what would be their last home game of their careers.
