DENVER, Colo. – The Omaha women's basketball team opened its final regular-season road trip Saturday afternoon, falling 81-60 to Denver at Hamilton Gym.

Leaders for Omaha
Courtney Vaccher led the Mavericks with 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.  Vaccher finished the afternoon 7-of-10 from the field and 4-for-5 at the free throw line.

Amber Vidal added 17 points, four boards and four assists.  Vidal was 5-of-18 from the field and 6-of-9 from the free throw line.  Emily Petersen chipped in nine points.

Leaders for Denver
Jordyn Alt had a double-double to lead the Pioneers.  Alt finished with 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting and grabbed 14 rebounds.  Claire Gritt scored 18 points and five boards.  Madison Nelson added 13 points, eight caroms and two steals.

Team Stats
Denver shot .377 (26-of-69) to Omaha's .306 (19-of-62) from the field.  The Pioneers held a 59-33 advantage on the glass. 

Inside the First Half
Denver shot .533 (8-of-15) compared to Omaha's .222 (4-of-18) from the floor in the opening quarter.  Denver took a quick 3-0 lead to start the game but Vaccher evened the game with a layup and a made free throw.  The Pioneers then went on a 9-0 run to lead 12-3 with 6:44 left.  A Vidal jumper and two Romekia Wallace free throws cut the lead to five, but DU used a 10-3 spurt to increase its lead to double figures.  A pair of Kalen Phillips free throws cut Denver's lead to 25-14 at the end of the first 10 minutes.

Omaha clamped down on the defensive end in the second quarter, limiting Denver to .316 (6-of-19) from the field and shot .333 (6-of-18).  DU opened the period on a 12-2 to increase its lead to 37-16.  UNO responded with a quick 5-0 run capped by a three-point play by Walter.  The Mavericks closed the first half with a 12-2 spurt to close the gap to 42-33 at intermission.

Inside the Second Half
Omaha improved its shooting to .467 (7-of-15) and held Denver to .316 (6-of-19) from the floor in the third quarter.  DU stretched its lead to 14 by the midway point of the third quarter.  A pair of Petersen 3-pointers late in the period brought Omaha within eight at the close of the period.

Denver opened the final quarter with a 12-2 run to take a 70-52 lead.  A pair of Alicia Mountain free throws brought Omaha within 13 with 3:05 remaining.  The Pioneers outscored the Mavericks 9-1 down the stretch to take an 81-60 win.

With the loss, the Mavericks are now 11-14 overall and 2-10 in Summit League action, while the Pioneers improve to 16-12 and 7-6 in conference play.

Up Next
Omaha returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 21 against Oral Roberts.  Tipoff from the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Okla., is set for 7 p.m.