Murfreesboro, Tenn. – Venice Adams ended her University of Denver career with a team-high 20 points, but the Pioneers could not overcome a 45-26 rebounding disadvantage and lost 68-59 to Florida International in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Conference tournament.
Sophomore Brooke Meyer scored eight points in the first half to keep DU close, with the Pioneers trailing only 30-28 at the break.
FIU started the second half on a 7-0 run, but the Pioneers responded and closed to within 55-51 with 2:41 remaining. The Panthers continued to get second chances on the offensive boards and managed to increase the lead down the stretch.
Adams, who averaged seven rebounds during the season, managed only two Saturday. Jenna Cole had 12 points for DU, and Meyer finished with 11.
FLA. INTERNATIONAL (18-11)
Jekabsone 11-18 6-6 28, Adley 3-4 0-0 6, Makela 2-12 0-0 5, Ferguson 4-12 5-8 13, Bouderra 0-7 4-4 4, Jenkins 1-1 0-0 2, Ciglar 3-5 0-0 8, Bedalov 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 25-62 15-18 68.
Denver (15-13)
Meyer 4-11 0-0 11, Cole 5-10 2-3 12, Lowery 2-7 0-0 4, Adams 7-13 6-6 20, Benham 4-12 0-0 8, Hurtado 0-0 0-0 0, Mason 0-0 0-0 0, Akotaobi 1-2 2-2 4, Reini 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 213-55 10-11 59.
Halftime – FIU 30-28. 3-point goals – FIU 3-10 (Ciglar 2-4, Makela 1-3, Ferguson 0-3), DU 3-13 (Meyer 3-7, Lowrey 0-1, Cole 0-2, Benham 0-3). Rebounds – FIU 45 (Jekabsone 15), DU 26 (Benham 6). Assists – FIU 9 (Ciglar 3), DU 10 (Cole, Lowery 3). Total fouls – FIU 10, DU 17. A – 797.
