Kaetlyn Murdoch scored a career-high 25 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, and Brianna Culberson also had a career high with 23 points for the University of Denver, which had to rally after blowing a five-point lead to beat South Alabama 71-68 at Magness Arena on Saturday.
Murdoch had 14 of her points in the first half as the Pioneers (13-6) built a 38-33 halftime lead. The Jaguars (12-8) forced 10 DU turnovers in the second half and led by seven points with about 11 minutes remaining. DU responded and took the lead on Murdoch’s layup with 8:15 left. DU broke a 58-58 tie on Culberson’s 3-pointer and made enough free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
“We had great performances from Kaetlyn and Brianna,” DU coach Erik Johnson said. “We were able to take high-percentage shots and score from the post.”
Murdoch’s 25 and 12 marked her fifth double-double of the season.
SOUTH ALABAMA (12-8, 7-2 Sun Belt)
Rutledge 6-10 0-0 16, Shelter 5-8 3-4 15, Banks 3-8 2-2 9, Gaines 2-7 3-5 7, Walker 2-3 0-0 6, Nettles 3-7 0-0 6, Kennon 2-2 0-0 4, Brunner 1-1 1-1 3, Simmons 0-1 2-2 2, Cherizol 0-2 0-0 0, M.Smith 0-4 0-0 0, Peterson 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 24-55 11-14 68.
DENVER (13-6, 8-1)
Murdoch 11-15 3-4 25, Culberson 9-13 3-3 23, Rice 3-9 6-8 12, Robinson 2-6 3-4 7, Feeney 1-1 0-0 2, E.Smith 0-2 2-2 2, Palmere 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 26-48 17-21 71.
Halftime — DU 38-33. 3-point goals — S. Alabama 9-21 (Rutledge 4-5, Shelter 2-3, Walker 2-3, Banks 1-1, Smith 0-3, Peterson 0-2, Nettles 0-4), Denver 2-8 (Culberson 2-3, Rice 0-3, Smith 0-1, Palmere 0-1). Fouled out — Nettles. Rebounds — S. Alabama 23 (Gaines 5), DU 34 (Murdoch 12). Assists — S. Alabama 19 (Banks 9), DU 19 (E.Smith 10). Total fouls — S. Alabama 19, DU 11. A — 548.
Denver Post staff and wire services
