DENVER - Brittney Hudson kept the Mean Green women's basketball team in striking distance for much of the afternoon, but a Denver second-half explosion was too much for NT in a 86-67 loss at Magness Arena.
Hudson led three Mean Green (5-18, 2-8 Sun Belt) players in double figures with 20 points, but Brianna Culberson stole the second half for Denver (13-8, 5-3 Sun Belt). The senior, who had six points at the half, finished with a career-high 27 and powered a DU offense that shot 58.9 percent for the game.
Hudson simply couldn't miss for much of the game, going 9-of-14 from the floor. Unfortunately, the rest of the Mean Green shot just 30.2 percent and struggled to gain traction.
Denver controlled the paint with 13 blocks - nine of which came in the second half. The Pioneers also edged NT with 15 assists in the second frame and 22 overall.
Jasmine Godbolt posted her third straight double-double for NT with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Tamara Torru also reached double figures with 11 points.
DU raced out to a 10-2 lead, but it was short lived thanks to a trio of Mean Green 3-pointers. Brittney Hudson led NT on an 8-0 run that tied the score at 18-18.
Minutes later, Hudson led a Mean Green fast break, and poured in a no-look fake-pass layup to put NT on top 27-26 with 4:41 on the clock.
Britteni Rice and the Pioneers took control heading into the break with a quick 6-0 run. Denver led 37-30 at the half thanks to 12 points from Rice, who also hit a 3-pointer coming out of the break.
Rice finished with 22 points for DU. Kaetlyn Murdoch piled up 10 rebounds by halftime and finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds.
NT returns home for a Thursday night matchup against Florida Atlantic. Tip off from the Super Pit is slated for 5 p.m.
