DENVER - UC Irvine women's basketball dropped the second of its two-game road trip, falling 60-50 to Denver Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Gymnasium.
 
The Anteaters (5-3), who were coming off a heartbreaking loss at New Mexico on Wednesday, struggled offensively. They shot a season-low 30.2% (16-53) from the floor and 14.3% (3-21) from beyond the arc.
 
UCI made just one field goal in the first quarter but went 8-for-8 at the free throw line to keep the deficit at single digits. Although the 'Eaters trailed the rest of the way, they stayed within striking distance, closing the gap to one on two occasions in the second period. The Pioneers refused to relinquish the lead and outscored UC Irvine, 30-25, in the second half for their third-straight win.
 
BY THE NUMBERS: Sophomore Summah Hanson led all players with 19 points (7-14 FG) and nine rebounds. Junior Olivia Williams added 12 points, while senior Nevaeh Dean finished with eight points, eight boards and three assists. Senior Déja Lee chipped in seven points, five rebounds and three steals.
 
Denver (3-3) shot 44.7% overall and went 5-of-23 from deep. Jordan Jones led three Pioneers in double figures with 18 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Irvine was held without a field goal over the first 4:30 but went 4-for-4 at the free throw line to keep it close. Williams then knocked down a jumper to close the gap to 7-6. Denver responded with 11 unanswered to pull ahead by 12 at the 2:03 mark. The Anteaters closed out the first quarter with four more free throws to make it 18-10.
 
Hanson and Williams combined for 10 points in the first four minutes of the second period to close the gap to 22-20 with 6:06 remaining. After the Pioneers got a bucket from Jones, Lee buried a three to bring the 'Eaters within one. DU then outscored UCI, 6-2, down the stretch to take a 30-25 advantage at the half.
 
Dean got the scoring started in the third frame with a layup at the 8:38 mark but that was the closest UC Irvine would get as Denver answered with a 9-4 run to go up, 40-31, with 5:29 to play. The two sides traded points the rest of the way with the Pioneers owning a 47-39 cushion heading into the fourth.
 
The Anteaters got back-to-back buckets from Hanson to cut the deficit in half early in the final quarter, but DU wouldn't break, increasing its margin to double digits (56-46) with 4:06 to go. 
 
UP NEXT: UC Irvine opens Big West play on the road next week, traveling to Cal State Bakersfield for a 6:30 p.m. showdown on Thursday, Dec. 5.
 
NOTES
• This was UC Irvine's first double-digit loss of the season.
• Summah Hanson had her fourth consecutive double-figure scoring game.
• Olivia Williams scored 10+ points in back-to-back games for the second time this season.
• Déja Lee has made a 3-pointer in 12-straight outings dating back to last season.
• Nevaeh Dean has finished with 5+ rebounds and three assists in each of the last three games.
• UCI and Denver are now tied in their all-time series at three wins apiece.