Rachelle Tucker, Taylor Rusk and Natalie Baker combined for 32 points off the bench and sparked the Wyoming Cowgirls to a 59-49 win over Denver Thursday night.

Wyoming (2-1) closed the game on a 13-2 run. Up one-point, the Cowgirls made two big baskets in the last three minutes. With the shot clock winding down, Clara Tapia hit a right wing three-pointer for a 53-49 lead. Two possession later and the shot clock dwindling again, Rusk drove the lane spun to the left and made a left-handed hook for a 55-49 lead. Free throws by UW closed it out.

The Cowgirls were led by Tucker and Baker with 11 points apiece off the bench. Rusk and Bailee Cotton added 10 points each. Wyoming shot 38.6 percent from the field. They out-rebounded the Pioneers 35-27 and forced 19 Denver turnovers, which generated 21 points for UW.

Jacqlyn Poss had nine points to lead the Pioneers. They shot 40 percent from the field.

The Cowgirls struggled and shot only 34 percent in the first half. They got a lift from Tucker with eight points and four rebounds. Rusk contributed eight, which included a pair of three’s. Meanwhile, Denver got to the free throw line and went 11-of-12. The Pioneers knocked down shots at a 43 percent clip.

Wyoming trailed 32-28 at halftime. They took control in the third quarter and out-scored Denver 18-9. Hailey Ligocki provided a lift with all seven of her points in the frame and helped UW to a 46-41 lead.

Denver (1-2) rallied at the start of the fourth. They scored the first six points and took a 47-46 lead before the Cowgirls responded.

The Cowgirls return to action Sunday, Nov. 20 when they host Cal-State Fullerton at 1 p.m.

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