Omaha, Neb. – The Omaha Mavericks break their 10-game losing streak with a nail-biting win over the Denver Pioneers, 80-77. 
 
Omaha improves to a 5-16 overall on the season and picks up their first conference win to now be 1-7 in conference play. 

Leaders For Omaha
Omaha was led by Kennedi Grant with a career-high 24 points. Grant went 7-of-13 on the field and 9-of-12 on the free throw line. Also in double-digits was Katie Keitges with 15 points going 5-of-6 from the arc. Keitges accounted for five of the eight threes made. Cora Olsen also hit 15 points after going a perfect 9-of-9 on the free throw line and 3-of-9 from the field. Olsen also carried the team-high six rebounds and Grant led with three steals. 
 
Leaders for Denver
Makayla Minett paced the Pioneers with a 20-point 18-rebound double-double. Leading in points was Angelina Robles with 28 points. Emily Counsel added 13 points, two blocks, and a team-high four assists. 

Team Stats
Omaha trailed just behind Denver in field goals 48.1% (25-of-52) to 48.3% (28-of-58). The Mavericks nearly doubled the Pioneers three-pointers going 57.1% (8-of-14) to 26.3% (5-of-19). On the free throw line, Omaha scored more but trailed in shot percentage (81.5%, 22-of-27 vs. 84.2%, 16-of-19).

Inside the First Quarter
Though Omaha didn't score the first basket of the game, Olsen did respond on their first possession with a layup at 9:21 to tie the game. After going back-and-forth with the Pioneers Omaha took the lead at 5:11 with a three-point jumper by Grant. The last basket of the quarter for the Mavericks came at 3:11 after Cave picked up a steal to score on the turnover, for Omaha's 11th point. 

Denver won the jump ball and scored a two on their first possession. After giving up the lead to the Mavericks, the Pioneers responded with seven unanswered points to lead 15-11. A final fast-break layup by Smith gave Denver a 17-11 lead at the end of the first. 

Inside the Second Quarter
Stanley came into the second period hot with two back-to-back three-pointers, tying the game. The Mavericks kept pace with the Pioneers for the first half of the quarter, never being more than one basket behind them. Omaha had turnover troubles in the second half of the quarter, slowing their scoring. Grant made a steal at 1:19 and had a fast break layup to put the Mavericks at 27 to close the first half. 

The Pioneers had a steady quarter, putting up 20 points. They found the lead at the end of the second after capitalizing on the Mavericks turnovers. The Pioneers gave up four points to Omaha after sending to them to the line for six attempts. From the field, Denver was shooting at 53.3% going 8-of-15 field goals. 

Inside the Third Quarter
Keitges got the quarter started with a three-pointer off a turnover. Olsen's seven-point heater started with a layup and one at 8:24. She followed that up with four back-to-back free throws. Omaha finally had the lead back after Keitges sunk another three-pointer at 4:48. Keitges sunk another three at 3:16 to put Omaha up 47-45. A final jumper by Grant at 0:12 put Omaha within three of Denver to end the third. 

Denver had another solid quarter scoring 21 points. They had their highest lead of the game at 8:36 after the layup put them ahead by 11. Though right after gaining an 11-point lead they gave up the seven points to Olsen. They battled with the Mavericks going back and forth with the lead, and came out of the third up 58-55.  

Inside the Fourth Quarter
During another back-and-forth quarter fighting for the lead, the Mavericks found success on the free throw line going 9-of-10. Olsen made two at 0:34 to tie the game. Grant followed with two more from the charity stripe to put Omaha up by two. Stanley was sent to the line with 0:01.40 clock and sealed the win with a made free throw. 

The Pioneers made four turnovers in the fourth and gave up nine crucial points to Omaha. After Olsen tied the game, they made an attempt at a layup with 0:08 on the clock but missed the shot and was called for a foul on the rebound, giving Grant a trip to the charity stripe. The Pioneers made a halfcourt shot attempt at a three to tie the game but the shot hit the rim bouncing out, giving the Mavericks the win. 

Next Up
The Mavericks will play one game next week as they travel to St. Thomas to play on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.