The University of Denver women’s basketball team got a game-high 18 points from Sara Benham to down visiting Lamar 97-43 in its season-opener at Hamilton Gymnasium on Saturday.
It was Denver’s largest margin of victory against a Division I team.
“I’m surprised by the margin of victory,” coach Pam Tanner said. Tanner led Denver to its sixth opening-game win in her 12 seasons.
Benham’s 18 points led four Pioneers in double figures. Tyesha Lowery scored 15 points and her five steals led Denver’s 18 steals, its most since 16 against Gonzaga last season.
Lamar (1-2) was led by Britteny Williams’ 12 points. The Pioneers are 2-0 all time against Lamar.
Denver faces Arkansas on Friday in the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Honolulu.
METRO STATE 96, WESTERN OREGON 72
Billings, Mont. – Danielle Ellerington’s team-high 21 points led Metro State to a nonconference win over Western Oregon.
Four players scored 10 or more points for the Roadrunners (1-2), including Rianna Harris with 14, Cassondra Bratton with 12 and Jessica von Tillow with 10. Von Tillow alhad a game-high 10 rebounds.
Kori Seymour led Western Oregon (1-2) with 23 points.
NORTHERN STATE 64, COLORADO MINES 46
Lakewood – Northern State, which led 31-28 at halftime, outscored Colorado Mines 33-18 in the second half to cruise in the Colorado Christian Preseason Tournament.
Mirando Boepple scored a game-high 16 points and added 10 rebounds for Northern State (2-0).
Iva Tomova was the only Mines (0-2) player in double figures with 10.
WAYNE STATE 76, COLORADO CHRISTIAN 64
Lakewood – Andrea Schoepf led Wayne State (2-0) with 20 points in a victory over host Colorado Christian (0-2) at Cougar Event Center.
Wayne State shot 54 percent from the field, including 11-of-22 from 3-point range.
Ashley Braasch and Talmai Aguirre led Colorado Christian with 14 points apiece.
Men’s basketball
METRO STATE 85, ST. LEO 60
Michael Bahl’s career-high 26 points paced Metro State over St. Leo (Fla.) in the Tip Off Classic at Auraria Events Center.
Bahl hit eight 3-pointers, including seven in the first half. Three other players scored in double figures for Metro (2-0), including Jesse Wagstaff with 16, Benas Veikalas 15 and Marquise Carrington 10.
Jordan Prais led the Lions (0-2) with 16 points.
Angelo (Texas) State defeated Colorado Christian in the first game at Auraria, 87-69.
WESTERN STATE 66, EASTERN NEW MEXICO 64
Portales, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico erased a 14-point first-half deficit, but Western State regained the lead with 2:06 remaining in the second half and then held on.
Brandon Gilbreath scored a team-high 14 points for Western State (1-0) and Carleton Goggins and Josh Thomas added 11 points apiece.
Mikal Monette had a game-high 19 points for Eastern N.M. (0-1). Tristan Largent added 17.
